24th June 2010

WEST DORSET: Active Travel Maps

Six Dorset towns are leading the way forward in turning their footpaths, bridleways and streets into a free exercise gym with the aid of new Active Travel Maps.

The new maps cover: Bridport (including Beaminster & Lyme Regis); Dorchester; Gillingham & Shaftesbury; Sherborne; and Weymouth & Portland

These highlight the traffic free footpaths, bridleways, byways and cycle tracks, as well as quiet roads, where people can avoid traffic and get physically active by walking and cycling to and from their destinations.

The maps show: key destinations, shopping areas and schools; tourist attractions; cycle shops; links between the towns and surrounding villages; on and off-road cycle routes; the Public Rights of Way network which can be used to get out into Dorset’s beautiful countryside.

The draft maps have been developed with Sherborne Transport Action Group, Western Area Transport Action Group, Westham Community Group and Transition Town Dorchester after securing funding from the Dorset Health & Wellbeing Partnership “Communities for Health” and Dorset County Council.

The maps were launched during Bike Week 2010 and will be available free of charge in local cycle shops, tourist information centres and Council offices.

People can also pick up their free copy during Bike Week from the Travel Choice team at the following locations:

• Weymouth, Bond Street – Friday 25th June;

• Bridport, Bucky Doo Square - Saturday 26th June.

They will also be available to download from www.dorsetforyou.com/travelchoice.

PICTURE: Launching the Active Travel maps