MOTORISTS who park all day in a lay-by in walking distance of Dorchester are set to get their marching orders.

The pull-in off the B3147, just north of the county town, is a popular free parking spot for workers But Tim Westwood, transportation manager for the county council, said that could change.

He said: "There are always about 15 cars in there from end to end every working day.

"People obviously park there and walk into town.

"It means that genuine travellers can't pull in there to take a break and that's the main point of a lay-by."

Mr Westwood added: "The lay-by has been there a long time but in the past year or so the parking has really built up."

He said the county council also occasionally needed to use the lay-by to store materials for road maintenance.

"Really that is a gateway to the county town and it's not a good first impression.

"We have been involved in discussions about getting it tidied up.

"That's likely to mean starting with a Traffic Regulation Order to limit waiting there to perhaps two hours.

"Improving and enhancing it could be considered as part of the Dorchester Transport and Environ-ment Plan."

The issue is being discussed at Dorchester Town Council's planning and environment committee on tonight.

Councillors' views, along with those from West Dorset District Council and the police, will be considered.

Mr Westwood said: "It depends on the response and any objections, but I think a Traffic Regulation Order could be in place by the end of the year.

"It would mean having double yellow lines and a plate at the lay-by and we would be able to enforce it.

"Drivers do need to take a break - tiredness kills - and they should be able to use the lay-by for that.

"It's got good visibility for pulling in and out of there safely.

"It could be that we would put interpretation boards up there for people visiting Dorchester."

Mr Westwood said the site was a good setting to enjoy the countryside views and needed to give a good impression on the approach to Dorchester.