A PARISH Council has introduced a ‘pit-stop’ bench with a mischievous message for a group of ladies who must walk between Bovington and Wool to do shopping each week – due to a lack of public transport.
The bench – named ‘The Three Ladies Bench’ – was installed at Tout Hill just before Christmas by Wool Parish Council.
The plaque reads “The Three Ladies Bench, for those who walk between Bovington and Wool due to lack of public transport.”
Mr Steve Smith, Wool Parish Council Clerk, met the three ladies, Hazel, Marion and Jan, outside Cologne Road Community Rooms.
When asked how they do their shopping without public transport Mr Smith learnt that they walk from Bovington to Wool and back once a week.
They requested a bench so they could have a rest halfway.
Steve Smith, Wool Parish Council Clerk, said: “Wool Parish Council acknowledge that the plaque was a little mischievous, but it is a tribute to the 3 ladies, and it makes an important point.
“The lack of public transport affects the quality of life of everyone to an extent but has a disproportionate impact on the elderly. Lack of mobility options leads to increased social isolation and the associated detrimental effects upon mental and physical health.
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“‘The 3 ladies’ should be sitting comfortably on the bus having used their free bus pass, not having to walk a few miles and carry their heavy shopping home.
“Public transport would enable people without cars to access the facilities of the surrounding towns and countryside. Public transport would mean fewer vehicles on the road and therefore reduce pollution.
Hazel Finch, one of ‘The Three Ladies’, said: “It’s not good living in an area with little public transport. There used to be buses up and down the road all the time but there’s not one now.
“I use a charity bus to go to Dorchester once a week which is really good but otherwise rely on my family to take me where I need to go, and they don’t live in Bovington.”
Wool Parish Council is working with Dorset Council, the MOD and Friends of Wool Station to establish better public transport links.
A Dorset Council spokesman said: “We have submitted a bid for the Government’s Bus Back Better £3 billion fund to revitalise the county’s bus services. This bid consists of a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to coordinate services and future investment through an Enhanced Partnership (EP).”
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