GOD moves in mysterious ways – but would he use a pedestrian crossing?

Clearly not the one proposed for outside St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Weymouth which has been turned down following fierce opposition from the parish priest and others.

Father Stephen Geddes is delighted after councillors rejected a plan to spend more than £55,000 building a puffin crossing outside the church in Dorchester Road.

He previously expressed fears that the crossing – which would be less than 100 yards away from one at Lodmoor Hill – would interfere with weddings and funerals because vehicles wouldn’t be able to stop outside.

Father Geddes wrote about his concerns in the parish newsletter and urged parishioners to object if they felt the same.

Residents and traders in the area were also worried the crossing would take away valuable parking spaces.

Dorset County Council’s roads and rights of way committee went along with a recommendation to reject the plan because of the fierce local opposition. More than a dozen letters of objection were received.

Committee chairman Tim Munro said the crossing was requested by a local councillor and it met certain criteria with regard to traffic and pedestrian movements.

He added: “It then went out to public consultation and it was clear there was a great deal of public unrest. The committee agreed with the officers’ recommendation that there is already a sufficient crossing nearby and another one would be a waste of money and affect parking.”

Father Geddes said: “I’m delighted. Another crossing is unnecessary and would have been a waste of money.

“If there had been a bit more canvassing of local opinion the council could have saved time and money.”

Alison Hughes who runs A Knight’s Rest guesthouse opposite St Augustine’s spoke at the roads and rights of way committee meeting.

As well as speaking from the point of view of a guesthouse owner, she spoke on behalf of two of her neighbours who are severely disabled.

Mrs Hughes said: “Apart from the main concerns I told the committee how the loss of parking would have a major impact because our terrace had no back access so anything arriving has to come round the front.

“The committee’s decision is very good news.”