Statement from Lytchett Minster & Upton Town Council: Introduction to 20mph speed limit in Sandy Lane
Published: 23 January 2026
Statement from Lytchett Minster & Upton Town Council: Introduction to 20mph speed limit in Sandy Lane
Following the announcement that the Town Council’s application to Dorset Council to introduce a 20mph speed limit to Sandy Lane had been approved, a number of our social media followers have expressed their thoughts on the decision and raised a number of questions. We appreciate that it is a divisive matter and hope that the following information provides some clarity.
· In July 2023, the Council’s Environment & Planning Committee first considered applying to Dorset Council for a 20 mph speed limit to Sandy Lane. This was in response to residents contacting the Town Council to communicate their concerns around the speeds in which vehicles were travelling.
· The Committee agreed to look into this further and make enquiries with Dorset Council about the scheme and the application process. Dorset Council’s 20 mph scheme is accessible on the website: Dorset 20 mph Policy
· As part of this fact finding exercise, the Town Council was advised to include those roads adjoining Sandy Lane which would create a safe, cohesive area rather than isolating it to a single street. This would ensure consistent traffic behaviour, prevent “rat-running” and reduce the risk of accidents. The Council agreed to include the adjoining roads which includes those roads around the infant and junior schools, increasing the safety for child pedestrians.
· In January 2024, Council agreed to pursue an application to Dorset Council, subject to the outcome of public consultation. The consultation commenced in July 2024.
· Consultation dates: 30 July – 30 September 2024.
Consultation methods used; included an online questionnaire and a paper questionnaire available via the Council’s website and paper copies from the Council office. This was advertised via Facebook, the Council’s website, noticeboards and advertising banners at key locations in the town (including Sandy Lane) which included a QR code to access the online survey.
Total number of responses: 263 (92% online survey, 8% paper questionnaire)
Response to questions:
Are you a resident of Lytchett Minster and Upton?
Yes: 251 (95%)
No: 12 (5%)
Do you support the proposed introduction of a 20-mph speed change as per the roads highlighted?
Yes: 164 (62%)
No: 99 (38%)
Please tick the following statements below which may apply to you (more than one option can be selected):
Concerns about access to my home: 69
I use these routes to travel to local schools: 56
I am concerned that this road is a short cut to bypass busier roads: 161
I use these roads as a pedestrian and am concerned about current speed: 137
I am worried about speeding in these roads when using them in my vehicle: 99
Please indicate the number of weekly journeys you make on which you travel along the proposed route:
0-10: 23%
11-30: 48%
30+: 29%
· The results of this consultation were presented to the Environment & Planning Committee in October 2024, who agreed to proceed with the application to Dorset Council. This was endorsed by Full Council on 22 October 2024.
· Once received by Dorset Council, such applications and supporting evidence are assessed against their published policy criteria. As the body responsible for the roads in Dorset, this was led and managed by Dorset Council.
· The Dorset Council 20mph Panel met at the end of November 2024 to consider all the applications received, including Sandy Lane and adjoining roads. The Panel agreed to support the application and, although the Town Council had already undertaken public consultation, Dorset Council has a statutory obligation to consult with the public themselves. This took place between 16 October and closed on 7 November 2025. Dorset Council’s consultation options were as follows:
· Local media informed;
· Notices placed in the affected areas;
· Residents advised that feedback can be submitted via the following channels:
Online (preferred): Comment on moving Traffic Regulation Orders - Dorset Council
Email: regulation-tro@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Post: Traffic Regulation Team, Dorset Council, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ
This was shared by the Town Council and residents were encouraged to respond.
· The data from the Dorset Council consultation has not been shared with the Town Council and, therefore, we can only share data from the public consultation we undertook in 2024, as detailed above.
· All town and parish councils who submitted an application were advised by Dorset Council that the results of the consultation would be carefully analysed and presented to Dorset Council’s relevant Cabinet Lead for a final decision. The Town Council’s application was approved in December 2025 and Dorset Council published a statement on 20 January 2026 – Dorset Council Statement.
Mayor of Lytchett Minster & Upton, Cllr Ray Griffin said, “The Town Council supports Dorset Council’s decision to implement a 20 mph speed limit to Sandy Lane and its adjoining roads. At the very heart of our decision to move forward with the application to Dorset Council was to protect the safety of our residents and all users of the highway. Everyone has the right to feel safe when in their own community, and lowering the speed of traffic along Sandy Lane will be an important step in the right direction. Data shows that slower equals safer - a pedestrian hit at 20 mph has a significantly higher chance of survival (up to 97%) compared to one hit at 30 mph.”
23 January 2026