Giant West Country waterslide ‘distracting drivers’ and increasing …

A huge summer attraction for thrill seekers on a major road in the South West has been branded a "distraction to drivers" and an "absolute hazard" for traffic passing by. A planning application has been submitted for the Mega Slip and Slide alongside a stretch of the A31 in Dorset, attracting complaints from local residents.

The team behind the bright yellow and blue 120m attraction has applied for planning permission to temporarily house the inflatable summer structure on farmland in Corfe Mullen, near Wimborne. The Mega Slip and Slide was also in place last summer, with excited daredevils cooling off in the heat^[1] by launching themselves down the slides on inflatable rings during hour-long sessions, DorsetLive reports^[2].

The slides are supported by scaffolding towers and there is a picnic and waiting area for parents at the bottom of the slides, as well as facilities. Residents and passing motorists voiced concerns about the family-friendly attraction following the submission of the planning application.

Broadstone resident Nick Gower claimed the Mega Slip and Slide is a "distraction to drivers" on the A31 in a letter to Dorset Council, objecting to the plans. He wrote: "I am a local resident who drives along this road, at least four times a day, I have noticed and witnessed two accidents since this waterslide has been erected.

"Personally, I think it is a distraction to drivers on the main road. The entrance and exit to the slide-park is on a fast-moving road. Also, I thought this is meant to be agricultural land as they grow crops there and have permission for a barn on the land."

A resident at Henbury House Gardens agreed with Mr Gower's objection. He added the bright and colourful slides were "unmissable" to drivers on the A31 and felt it was in a bad location on a "dangerous and accident prone stretch of road".

He wrote: "As a resident of Henbury House Gardens which uses this stretch of the A31 to gain access to/from my property, I believe the Slip and Slide is an absolute hazard to through traffic. This is a dangerous and accident-prone stretch of road at the best of times, but now with the added visual distraction for drivers (the slip and slide is unmissable!), and the entry and exit directly on to the A31, I feel it is only a matter of time before a serious or fatal accident occurs."

Councillor Robin Cook, who covers the Stour and Allen Vale area for Dorset Council, hoped the attraction was only in place for the main tourist season, namely the summer. He wrote: "[I am] concerned at the impact on the A31 trunk road due to access to the site, particularly for vehicles travelling east turning across the main traffic flow.

"I note that National Highways are not on the consultee list which I think is an omission that should be corrected. I am aware that they do not encourage sites that involve an access in this way. The rest area close to the Stinsford Roundabout on the A35 is an example. If this is approved I hope it is only for a limited period during the main tourist season."

The Mega Slip and Slide, which will be in place until September 4, promises "120 metres of wet and wild fun" and "great fun for the whole family". The attraction is open between 10am and 7pm, with free car parking and on-site drinks and food.

The planning application can be found on Dorset Council's website under the planning section with reference P/FUL/2023/04036 or through this link^[4]. Comments are welcome until August 18.

References

1. ^{^} cooling off in the heat (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^{^} DorsetLive reports (www.dorset.live)
3. ^{^} Modular homes to be removed and replaced at flagship Bristol development (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^{^} through this link (planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk)