Traffic Management County Hall, Colliton Park Dorchester Dorset DT1 1 XJ
Mr P. Shouler Ethelgiva St. Johns Hill Shaftesbury Dorset SP7 8lA	Telephone: 01305 or 01202 224269 Fax: 01305 or 01202 225186 Minicom: 01305 267933 Email: stephen.howard@dorsetcc.gov.uk DX: DX 8716 Dorchester Web site: www.dorsetcc.gov.uk
	Date: 18 October 2006 Your ref: My ref: S27
Dear Mr Shouler Traffic issues - St. Johns Hill, Shaftesbury Thank you for your letter of 16^th October 2006, regarding the problems of HGVs using St. Johns Hill, Shaftesbury. We are obviously well aware of the issues you allude to and, despite the commonly held view that we have done little to alleviate the problems, have been working diligently over a number of years to improve the situation. Significant funding has been allocated to improving the Coles lane / Cherry Orchard lane route between the 83091 and the A30; the rationale being that HGVs will be directed this way, thus avoiding the need to use St. Johns Hill. Much of the route improvements have been implemented, although one or two land-take issues have yet to be resolved, resulting in the completion of the whole-route improvements taking slightly longer than we would have hoped. It has always been the intention to complete the improvements to the "Cherry Orchard lane route" before amending the signing. However, after recent discussions with my colleague Mr Diaz, it has been agreed that we organise the design and erection of the new direction signing now, in the knowledge that the vast majority of the improvements have been implemented. The installation of crash barriers is a complicated one, but, coincidentally, an issue that Mr Diaz is responsible for. If you will permit, I will pass a copy of your letter onto Mr Diaz and ask that he investigates the possibility of introducing the crash barrier you desire. The general signing of Shaftesbury and its environs (which would include the signing you suggest) has long been programmed for soon after the completion of the eagerly awaited Shaftesbury Town Centre Enhancement Scheme. Only after completion of the enhancement scheme will we gain a full understanding of how traffic will move in and around the area. I hope this information proves to be of assistance. However, if you require any further help with regard to this issue please feel free to contact me on the telephone number quoted above. Yours sincerely Steve Howard Team leader - Traffic Section (East) Director of Environmental Services Miles Butler INVESTOR IN PEOPLE