News

18 December 2023
Night Road Closure - Longham Roundabouts

To enable Dorset Council to carry out drainage works, various roads at Longham will be closed between 7pm and 6am, from the 7th to the 12th of January. Please see the detailed Road Closure Notice.

18 December 2023
Christmas Message

On behalf of West Parley Parish Council, may I wish you a Happy and healthy festive period.

There have been many changes within the Parish in the last year, and we will continue to listen to your concerns, and act on your behalf as much as we are able to, for the benefit of the Parish.

With best wishes for 2024.

Cllr Mark Barber (chairman).

14 December 2023
Christmas Church Services

All the details for Church of England services this Christmas at St Mark's and All Saints churches. Please click here for a larger image.

11 December 2023
Flooding Enquiries

Flooding incidents should always be reported via the Flood Online Reporting Tool or by calling the national Floodline number 0345 988 1188 (normal call charges apply). In an emergency, dial 999 if life is in danger.

Around 80 Highways operatives are currently out dealing with flooding and highways enquiries of yesterday and today. Many of the current issues are in the west of the county, around the Beaminster, Bridport and Broadwindsor areas. But they are also managing other localised problems across the whole Dorset Council area.

To report other weather-related incidents, telephone:

  • 24 hour Wessex Water line: 0345 600 4600
  • 24 hour floodline: 0345 988 118
  • Environment Agency National Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60

For details regarding sandbags, please visit Dorset Council's Sandbags webpage.

You can find details of flood warnings and alerts at the Government's Check for Flooding webpage.

29 November 2023
Parley Crossroads, a few questions answered

Following the opening of the link road last week, the road markings for the new junctions on Christchurch Road and New Road are causing a little confusion to drivers. Having spoken with Dorset Council, some temporary signage will be in place to guide drivers to use the correct lanes.

With the additional 2 sets of traffic lights close to the crossroads, Dorset Council will be monitoring the flow of traffic to ensure they all work together to keep traffic moving. If you see operatives onsite, they are likely to be making adjustments to aid traffic flow.

The crossroads are still operating with all routes currently, meaning drivers can choose whether they use the new link road or whether they continue to use the crossroads. This may or may not change in the future when Dorset Council undertake a review of the crossroads to establish what improvements can be made.

29 November 2023
Tractor Movements

Thank you to those who have raised concern about the volume and speed of tractors in the last 24 hours.

It has been established that a contractor, appointed by Wessex Water, is working at Longham Lakes to resolve an urgent issue. They have been asked to adhere to the official diversion route, rather than using the smaller roads in West Parley.

29 November 2023
Christchurch Road Update

The road closure of Christchurch Road WILL be lifted on 30th November 2023. The traffic management will be downgraded from full closure to some carriageway incursion until Monday 4th December, while SGN wait for collection to clear some of the equipment on site.

23 November 2023
Some Roadwork Good News – finally

Please be informed that after an onsite meeting at Christchurch Road, SGN have determined that there is no requirement to close Ringwood Road as phase 2 of the mains pipe replacement.

Christchurch Road closure remains in place but the road will re-open on Thursday 30 November.

For more information, please view their webpage - Ferndown, Christchurch Road | SGN Your gas. Our network.

23 November 2023
White Ribbon Day - 25th November 2023

At the meeting on 18th October 2023, West Parley Parish Council made the White Ribbon promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women and girls.

This is a countrywide initiative and to find out more information, please take at look at the White Ribbon website.

20 November 2023
Parley Crossroads - Tuesday 21st November

Please be advised that the crossroads will be working on temporary lights for a few days while necessary works are undertaken to connect the 2 new sets of traffic lights on Christchurch Road and New Road, with the main crossroad lights.

This should not require any road restrictions as the works can be undertaken within the new lanes at the 2 junctions, that are not yet open to access the road through the estate and to the long awaited opening of the foodstore.

The temporary lights should not alter the flow of traffic compared to the current crossroad lights but this will be monitored.

Once the new lights have been connected to the main crossroad lights, the 3 sets of traffic lights should work together however there may be a settling in period while this is established.

14 November 2023
Volunteers Reception 2023

Volunteer of the Year Clive Butcher with Cllr Mark Barber, Chairman

The Parish Council were delighted to be able to show their appreciation to all Volunteers who undertake work within the Parish for the benefit of others, in the form of the annual 'Volunteers reception'.

The event took place on 1st September and it was extremely fitting that we were able to host the event at the newly partial re-opened West Parley Community Hub, which many of the volunteers had spent many hours helping to restore and repair.

Guests enjoyed a barbecue cooked mostly by Mark Barber, the Parish Council chairman, and refreshments in the Jubilee Room at the Community Hub. Members of the various volunteer groups were thanked for all they do within the community; which makes West Parley a lovely place to live and visit.

The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Clive Butcher who had served as the Transport Coordinator of the village Neighbour Car Scheme since inception in September 2013. Clive relinquished the role due to relocating to be closer to family members. In the 10 years to Clive’s retirement as coordinator there had been 5812 trips for the village’s older residents.

Also receiving recognition was Brian Miles who is a founder member of the West Parley Residents Association. Brian is part of the Parley Volunteers team that work tirelessly to maintain the appearance of the village as well as being a volunteer driver for the Car Scheme and a litter picker. He also acts as a distributor for the quarterly Neighbourhood Watch newsletters. He is a wonderful role model for the numerous volunteer organisations he is involved with.

The third recipient of an award was Roy Chapman who, like Brian, is a stalwart of the Parley Volunteers as well as being a volunteer driver. Roy has also assisted all summer with grass cutting at the Memorial Hall and keeps the team happy with his delicious baking.

An enjoyable evening was had by all.

13 November 2023
Become a Councillor - Your Village Needs You!

There are vacancies on the Parish Council and we are seeking more people to sign up as councillors to help keep West Parley wonderful.

It is advantageous to have a diverse group of people as a council to encourage a holistic approach to the needs of those in the village.

The Council meets once a month, along with planning committee meetings when required.

The Council owns 30 acres of land which includes the recreation ground, playing fields, sports club, car park and the lovely parley wood (SSSI). Parish Councils also respond to all planning applications within the parish, have input on highways matters and generally try to make the village a better place for all to enjoy.

For more information, please see our Vacancy for a Councillor notice, or try Become a councillor - GOV.UK or take a look at this website. If you have any questions, please email the Parish Clerk or phone 07477 514862.

9 November 2023
Dudsbury Camp

The village is privileged to have this scheduled monument within our boundary and is enjoyed by many residents.

This notice is to inform residents that they may see increased activity at the site.

Please be advised that Historic England have just released their ‘At Risk’ register and Dudsbury Camp has been added to the list in 2023.

Historic England Reveals its Heritage at Risk Register 2023.

The reference to Dudsbury Camp is as follows:
SITE NAME: Dudsbury camp, Ferndown Town / West Parley
DESIGNATION: Scheduled Monument
LIST ENTRY NUMBER: 1003583
CONDITION: Generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems
TREND: Declining
PRINCIPAL VULNERABILITY: Scrub/tree growth
NEW ENTRY?: Yes
OWNER TYPE: Mixed, multiple owners
CONTACT: Daniel Bashford 07824 103102

Historic England will work with the land owners to address the site’s principal vulnerability; namely tree & scrub works will be undertaken for the benefit the monument. Hopefully the monument being added to the ‘at risk’ register will also increase the focus on the importance of the camp in the area.

7 November 2023
Roadworks Update

Christchurch Road (Longham Roundabouts)
Closure due until 30th November. SGN have advised Dorset Council that once their emergency works to install a new gas main on Christchurch Road, Ferndown have been completed they will need a full closure of Ringwood Road, Longham, north of Longham double mini roundabouts. This closure is required to connect the new gas pipe to the gas network on Ringwood Road. The closure of Ringwood Road will not come into effect until the closure of Christchurch Road is lifted (anticipated to be 1st December)

Please see this Christchurch Road closure notice (pdf) for more information.

For more information from SGN on these works and further closures required, please see this SGN flyer (pdf). Information can also be found at the following link: Ferndown, Christchurch Road | SGN Your gas. Our network.

For any further information about their works, SGN can be contacted on 0800 912 1700 or email customer@sgn.co.uk

Christchurch Road (near the Curlew Public House)
17th November, 2 way manned traffic lights 9.30am – 2.30pm

New Road (200m south of new junction for the development)
20th November, 2 way manned traffic lights 9.30am – 3.30pm

1 November 2023
Dorset Council Elections

Dorset Council's Elections team are looking for staff to help in the upcoming elections in May 2024.

For more information please see this Dorset Council poster (pdf).

1 November 2023
SSEN Distribution Yellow Alert, Storm Ciarán

Wednesday 01 November 2023 9.30am
This morning, in response to the latest weather forecast, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has moved to Yellow Alert status ahead of Storm Ciarán. It is due to hit central southern England overnight on Wednesday and continue into Thursday, leading to several hours of strong winds, heavy rain and a risk of localised flooding. At this time, SSEN would like to reassure its customers and partners that it is well prepared for this period of bad weather.

The decision to move to Yellow Alert status comes as a result of the increasing certainty about the storm’s duration and route, and the potential it has to cause damage to the electricity network. SSEN has been monitoring this weather system for several days, and is now activating its well-rehearsed contingency plans, bringing in additional teams to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults, which may impact customers’ power supplies.

These additional teams, aided by colleagues from SSEN’s north of Scotland distribution area and contractor partners, will respond to faults and carry out repairs quickly and safely. Teams answering customers’ queries over the phone are being bolstered, and SSEN is already calling its most vulnerable customers to offer them help and advice. In total, more than 250,000 customers who are on the Priority Service Register will be contacted ahead of the storm. SSEN is also organising for welfare provisions to be put in place for affected areas.

SSEN’s latest weather model shows a likelihood of southerly and south-westerly gusts of up to 70mph along the Hampshire and Sussex coast overnight on Wednesday and throughout the day on Thursday, with inland gusts of up to 60mph in Dorset. Gusts in excess of 50mph are possible in Berkshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. The winds will be accompanied by persistent, heavy rain. SSEN will continue to monitor this storm closely as it develops and issue regular updates.

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:

  • Saving the emergency power cut number - '105' - to your phone to report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network
  • Visiting SSEN's Power Track Website to give you details of power cuts and restoration times. You can also report power cuts and network damage through the Power Track app
  • Going to SSEN's website where there is a wealth of advice and information on how to deal with a power cut, or to chat live to one of SSEN's advisors via its Webchat service

Customers are also eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) if they:

  • Are deaf or hard of hearing
  • Have a disability
  • Live with children under five
  • Are blind or partially sighted
  • Have a chronic illness