A seminar was held in November at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy to launch a new study looking at the opportunities for seaborne transport along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset and East Devon, and for wider links with Torbay and the Bournemouth- Poole- Christchurch conurbations.
A seminar was held in November at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy to launch a new study looking at the opportunities for waterborne transport along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset and East Devon, and for wider links with Torbay and the Bournemouth- Poole- Christchurch conurbations.
The Seminar highlighted the exciting potential of this form of transport for the Coast and the benefits it could bring in easing congestion and reducing the carbon footprint of travelling. Initial survey work also showed that the majority of people (80%) would be interested in using boat transport. While recognising that there would need to be significant investment by both the public and private sectors, there was strong support for further feasibility and market research work.
John Varley of Clinton Devon Estates and Chairman of both the seminar and the Jurassic Coast Transport Working Group said, “This is a really exciting initiative and the report is just the start of ‘the journey’ for marine transport along the Jurassic Coast. It is hoped that the concept will be taken forward through the new Local Transport Plans being developed by the two County Councils and that the private sector will seize the opportunities.”
A report of the Seminar proceedings and the Scoping Study are available at WHS Management and www.dorsetaonb.org.uk
Sally King, World Heritage Site Visitor Manager.
