FEARS have been raised for the safety of pedestrians using a bridge on a main road into Dorchester.

Stinsford Parish Council has raised concerns about safety issues at Grey's Bridge on the B3150 London Road and the matter was taken to Dorchester Town Council's planning and environment committee.

The bridge sits on the boundary between the parishes of Stinsford and Dorchester.

Chairman of Stinsford Parish Council Andy Stillman said the main concerns were for the safety of pedestrians crossing Kings Road just to the south of the bridge on the Dorchester side, as they cannot see the traffic that is coming, and also the lack of a footpath on the northern side of the bridge.

He said: "We think it's very unsafe for people to cross at Grey's Bridge."

Mr Stillman said that in an ideal world it would be asking for a footbridge to the north side of the bridge but he recognised that was unlikely in the current financial climate.

Another priority, and one he feels is more realistic, is to install pedestrian lights on the Dorchester side of the bridge to make the crossing safer.

As the bridge was on the border of the two parishes, he was looking for support from Dorchester Town Council as the parish council seeks to take the matter up with Dorset County Council.

Mr Stillman said the area is particularly a problem during the Dorset County Show, as the bridge is on the main route many pedestrians use to get to the show site from Dorchester town centre.

He said: "When is comes to the County Show the area is complete mayhem, you have got people pushing prams and bikes all over the road and there is no footbridge."

Mr Stillman said the bid to improve the crossing was all part of the parish council's efforts to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists right from its Dorchester boundary to the visitors centre at Hardy's Cottage near Higher Bockhampton.

He said it would also benefit those looking to get to Kingston Maurward College without using a car.

Mr Stillman said there was pretty much unanimous support from the Dorchester town councillors for the idea of a pedestrian crossing.