AN OPEN space in Bridport is to have a new cycle route linking it all the way to the South Street car park via a new bridge.

Dorset County Council has funding for the path at Asker Meadows and a planning application will be put in by the end of the week.

Bridport town surveyor Daryl Chambers said the field next to Morrisons was now town council-owned.

All the other adjoining fields, including one known as The Boot through to East Road, were being transferred from the district to the town council too.

Mr Chambers said: “The intention is to try and get a cycle way all the way from East Road to Morrisons and around to the brewery.

“There is funding for a bridge by the New Zealand development and we have looked at other funding and we think we have all the money ready.

“We have walked it through with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team who are supportive.

“We have had Dorset Wildlife Trust who are going to do a species survey and we have a tree group too.”

He added: “Asker Meadow is deemed a nature reserve and that is what we want.

The new footpath will also mean children have a safe route to walk to St Mary’s School.