'Much needed' rest stop to be demolished

The rest stop and picnic area will be closed from 5 September

A rest area popular with lorry drivers and holidaymakers is set to close.

The site at Eype, near Bridport, is one of the few refuge areas on the A35 between Dorset and Devon. It will shut on 5 September.

Residents and lorry drivers told BBC Radio Solent of their disappointment at the decision and said the rest area was "much needed".

National Highways confirmed it was being demolished and turned into a permanent depot for maintenance work on the A35 and A30.

Among those unhappy with the decision was a lorry driver who said: "It should stay open, really we need to be increasing these types of areas, a small place to stop on the way is much needed and essential, we get tired."

Others described the cafe at the site as doing "a roaring trade" and questioned the wisdom of the decision.

The site will be demolished at the end of 2026 when its current maintenance contract ends.

The new development will see an installation of a 3,000-tonne salt barn, offices and workshops.

It will also house several gritters, snow ploughs and large lorries help maintain the A35 during the winter months.

Route manager for National Highways, Jonathan Hill, said: "There are various privately owned sites along the route and there are public toilets in Bridport.

"We need to keep the route safe and serviceable so this was a prime site for deployment for us onto the A35."