A COMPROMISE scheme to deal with a notorious rat-run which has been troubling Wimborne for years looks set to go ahead.

The town council wanted traffic into East Borough banned because motorists flagrantly ignore the current "access only", using the street to avoid two sets of traffic lights.

Narrow Chapel Lane which links East and West Boroughs is also a problem.

But the various councils failed to agree on the solution - East Dorset District Council did not back the town's idea of a No Entry sign at the northern end of East Borough, near Tice's garage.

District councillors argued that would increase traffic in other roads - notably in Allenview.

And without the backing of all parties, the county council did not implement the idea.

The new compromise retains the "access only" sign but imposes a 20 mph speed limit in East Borough and lifts parking restrictions so that a natural chicane effect will be created, forcing traffic to weave its way down the street.

Michael Hodkinson, chair of the town's planning and environment committee, met EDDC planning officer William Wallace and Tony Mackle from the county highways department on site.

"The creation of the chicane effect will make East Borough less attractive as a short cut by trying to inconvenience southbound traffic," said Mr Hodkinson.

"We're going to urge that it is introduced on an experimental basis and we hope it is successful."

The district council will consider the matter on Wednesday.

First published: Oct 11