The decrease in speed limit along part of the A35 in a bid to reduce traffic pollution is great, but it’s not enough, according to councillors.

The 40mph speed limit on Chideock Hill has been changed to 30mph and is in place from Ruins Lane through to Muddyford Lane before increasing to 50mph to Star Lane. It is expected to last until January 2021.

The speed limit reduction is part of Highways England’s plans to improve air quality. The trial will collect data to see whether reducing the speed of vehicles impacts upon the amount of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the village.

Earlier this year, Chideock was identified as one of the top 10 locations in the south west - and the highest in Dorset - which breaches air quality limits, being named a pollution hotspot.

Andrew Roberts, Highways England rout manager for the A35, said: “We are working in partnership with Dorset Council to reduce the effects of traffic pollution in Chideock.

“The main areas of poor air quality in Chideock tend to be towards the western end of the village, and we have initiated a trial to study the effects of air quality on reducing the speed limit at the western end of the village from 40mph to 30mph. For safety reasons, the national speed limit section between Chideock and Morcombelake has also been reduced to 50mph.

“We captured air quality data before the start of the speed reduction trial, and we will now collect air quality data and traffic speed data during the period that the reduced speed limits are in place. The comparison of the before and after data will inform us of the effectiveness of this approach.”

Chideock Parish Council have ‘welcomed’ the action taken, but say it is ‘not enough to solve the issue of a trunk road that is not really a trunk road’.

“Throughout the summer period, the evidence has continued to show that the rates of NO2 pollution remain high on Chideock Hill, with rates being higher than inner London as you ascend the hill.

“Chideock Parish Council has campaigned vigorously for the introduction of a system for monitoring in the village, due to the intensity of fumes from burning tyres as HGVs descend the hill. However, this has been refused by Dorset Council even though there are public health concerns being raised by residents and visitors.”

The parish council has also been campaigning for more than 20 years for safety improvements on this section of the A35.

“This year, Highways England completed a safety and severance report, which out of 16 options, discounted 11 and agreed that only five measures could go forward for consideration, including installing average speed cameras. However, senior management have informed the parish council that if these measures are eventually agreed, then they are unlikely to be delivered until 2024.

“In the interim it remains the case that crossing the road in Chideock is a logistical health and safety nightmare, if you are disabled then the footpaths, or lack if them, put you in danger of a serious accident and noise, vibration and air pollution remain a high concern for residents and visitors.

“So yes, it’s great that we have some action, but it’s not enough to solve the issue of a trunk road that is not really a trunk road.”