Councillors and officers from Dorset Council, MPs Richard Drax and Chris Loder and the managing directors for South Western Railway and Network Rail (Wessex) came together to officially open Weymouth’s recently improved railway station on Friday, 21 April.
Other representatives from organisations which helped shape and fund the improvements were also in attendance.
The multi-agency partnership-led improvement scheme which completed last summer includes a refreshed car parking layout with clearer drop-off, collection and taxi points, improved bus links, a new bus shelter and bus information, more secure bicycle storage plus new pedestrian areas and walking routes.
The railway station forecourt now also has a landscaped planting scheme, new lighting, and CCTV to deter antisocial behaviour. In a nod to Weymouth’s railway history at the adjacent Pocket Park, new information panels about how the use of the railways in the town have changed over the years. Further improvements at the station include a living wall, a completely refurbished canopy on platforms 2 and 3 and new station café.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council said:
“Dorset Council invested significantly to enable these improvements to the railway station and its surrounding area. Responses made through the consultation confirmed that people thought the station was in poor condition and a hotspot for antisocial behaviour. This work has transformed the forecourt into a more welcoming and accessible place for visitors, residents and businesses.
“It is vital that we provide modern and attractive public transport infrastructure like this to encourage people to reduce their car use and traffic congestion, improve air quality and help us meet our climate targets.”
Claire Mann, Managing Director of South Western Railway said:
“I’m so pleased to see the work we have done at Weymouth, alongside all these different partners, at one of the most important stations on our network which saw more than half a million customers last year.
“On top of the improvements through our Customer and Communities Improvement fund, we have also taken important steps to improve safety and security at the station, through the provision of a shared, secure space for Police, Rail Community Officers and Town Wardens.
“It’s so important that we provide a welcoming environment where our customers feel safe, and we believe these improvements will go a long way to doing just that.”
Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said:
“It’s great to have worked in collaboration with SWR, Dorset Council, Dorset Coast Forum and other local stakeholders to promote rail travel to Weymouth.
“We want to give our customers the best experience and these improvements will make sure everyone who visits Weymouth has a fantastic first impression.
“The town has a rich railway heritage and work to replace and renew the station canopies is part of the wider Weymouth Station Gateway improvement scheme to boost the local economy.”
