RESIDENTS of Puddle-town have criticised Government proposals for the village's bypass - for ignoring the village itself.

Local dignitaries and shopkeepers said the proposals, which aim to improve safety along the busy A35, neglected the effect of the bypass on village safety.

They claim that without slow-moving lorries, drivers are now free to speed through the village and fear it is only a matter of time before an accident happens.

The proposals have been made in the Highways Agency's route management strategy for the A35, from Dorchester to Wimborne.

Landlady of the Blue Vinny pub in Puddletown, Ann Vodden, said: "Safety-wise it's a catch 22. You haven't got the lorries going through any more, but now what does go through, does so too fast."

She also criticised the sign-posting off the bypass for Puddletown and Tolpuddle, which she said was misleading.

Shop owner Brian Ball, from Puddletown, agreed the safety problem was in the village, not on the bypass. He said: "The problem now is that traffic comes through the village so fast. That is more of a real safety issue here."

Puddletown and Tolpuddle parish council chairman Chris Leonard said: "It often happens when you reduce the amount of traffic on the road that it does leave the option for people to go a bit quicker.

"There are fairly fast approaches to both Puddle-town and Tolpuddle. There's not a lot to slow drivers down."

He said one of villagers' main complaints was the noise generated by cars speeding along the bypass' concrete surface.

West Dorset District Council environmental policy and regeneration manager Derek Boyt said in a report to the council's environment overview and scrutiny committee that work would be undertaken to reduce traffic noise. He said: "The overall strategy is to maintain the essential character of the road while carrying out works aimed at improving safety, while minimising environmental impact."

The strategy can be viewed at the district council planning offices in High West Street, Dorchester.