Major plans are in place to deal with an influx of visitors to Dorset

Dorset Council's Chief Executive reveals what they are, in our EXCLUSIVE #LeadersInLockdown interview

Durdle Door saw a huge influx of visitors during the pandemic
Author: Maria GreenwoodPublished 18th Mar 2021
Last updated 18th Mar 2021

Plans are in place to deal with potential problems caused by an influx of visitors to Dorset this spring and summer.

The Chief Executive of Dorset Council has revealed to Greatest Hits Radio Dorset what those plans are, in our exclusive #LeadersInLockdown interview.

WATCH: Matt Prosser answers your questions in our exclusive #LeadersInLockdown interview from 7pm tonight (March 18th)

Matt Prosser has told us that tow-away areas for illegally parked cars, better waste collection for local beauty spots and temporary bans on beach camping will be used to stop a repeat of the scenes we saw last summer.

Thousands of people flocked to Durdle Door when restrictions were eased, roads were blocked, and piles of rubbish were left behind. The situation was so bad the Lulworth Estate have petitioned the government to ask for a campaign which urges people to show better behaviour at beauty spots.

Dorset Council Chief Executive Matt Prosser told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:

"We did last year see some disappointing behaviour from a few visitors to Dorset and we have plans in place to try and tackle this, this spring and summer.

"Local people were rightly upset about how Dorset was treated by a minority. We want to welcome responsible visitors to our coast and countryside but we prepared for that minority who won't follow the rules."

Your questions answered by Dorset Council's Chief Executive

In our #LeadersInLockdown interview we put your questions to Matt Prosser on a range of issues, looking at the impact which the pandemic has had on our lives in Dorset and your concerns for the future.

Tonight you can watch him answer questions on everything from support for local businesses, council tax and new housing for Dorset.

Matt Prosser has this message for people in Dorset about how they have responded to the pandemic:

"I just want to say that our local communities in Dorset have been amazing over the last year.

"People have looked out for their neighbours, they have rallied round, they have volunteers, and I just hope that is something that will continue into the future for Dorset."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.