DOUBLE yellow lines are expected be painted on a main route into West Lulworth in an attempt to stop the gridlock which has caused traffic chaos on several days in recent years.

But the recommendation, which has to yet win the support of the county council’s cabinet, was only put forward by one vote.

If finally approved, double yellows will be added to both sides of West Road from Daggers Gate down to the church next year.

Several councillors, and some residents, had argued for the lines on one side of the road only, and parking outside the church to remain as it is.

But the call for the double yellow lines, which came from the parish council and was supported by the district council and police, won the day.

Visitor numbers to Lulworth and Durdle Door are believed to have doubled to a million people a year in the last five years, partly due to the area appearing in a hit Bollywood film.

On some days the amount of visitors has overwhelmed village roads, although the committee heard there was always a number of drivers who would park almost anywhere to avoid paying to use the Weld Estate car parks in the centre of the village.

Estate manager James Weld told the committee that despite the increase in numbers, the car parks had overflow arrangements and had always managed to deal with the volume of traffic.

He said that signs put out asking people not to park on the approach road had helped, although they had no legal backing and were often deliberately knocked down.

“I welcome the order to improve traffic flows. It will benefit residents and visitors alike,” he said: “We have made more parking available, as needed, but if drivers are unable to reach us, it has little effect.”

He said there could now be problems on almost any day of the year the sun was shining.

The area’s county councillor, Cherry Brooks, attended the meeting but chose not to speak, submitting a statement in which she said the issue had divided the village: “With some residents accepting that traffic management is required on the days when the pressures are high from tourists, but not wanting to see year-round restrictions that will impact on their day-to-day lives for the rest of the year.”