AN environmental group wants to get rid of white lines on roads in parts of Dorset.

The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership claimed the lines encouraged speeding and, along with other road signs, were 'insensitive to the landscape'.

Group promotion officer Sarah Bentley told a meeting of Dorset Coast Forum: "In one study from Wiltshire removing lines was found to have a calming effect because drivers were more careful."

She later said: "We're working with Dorset County Council as the local highway authority to look at how we can better manage our roads within Dorset.

"We need to manage them more sensitively to the landscape and the environment and we've commissioned a study into this.

"We've been looking at what's been done in other areas. With respect to the white lines, we are saying getting rid of them can be considered."

She added: "We will be publishing a 100-page document outlining our proposals which will be coming out in the next couple of weeks."

But the move has been slammed by Dorset motoring groups.

Ruth Gray, secretary of the South Dorset Driving Instructors' Association, said: "Is this a joke? It's potty.

"As far as I'm concerned white lines are good for me because my pupils use them to keep to the left, otherwise they'd be all over the place.

"I don't think it would make people go slower at all. Well, it hasn't in the places where there aren't any lines.

"I really can't see how this will make people go slower. I actually think people use the lines to monitor their speed.

"I think speeders will speed irrelevant of the lines."

Lyall Blewett, chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motoring Dorchester Branch, said: "It's silly. The white lines are put there for a reason. They don't put paint down in the middle of the road for no reason."

The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership consists of several organisations including the Countryside Agency, English Nature, Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council.

While 75 per cent of its funding comes from the Countryside Agency the rest comes from local authorities.

About 40 per cent of Dorset's coast and countryside is classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty.