Councillors and officers from Dorset Council, Richard Drax MP, Chris Loder MP and the managing directors for South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail (Wessex) have officially opened Weymouth station.
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.
Councillor 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.”
Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “It’s great to have worked in collaboration with SWR, Dorset Council, Dorset Coastal 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.”
Claire Mann, managing director for South Western Railway, said: “I’m so pleased to see how the different partners have come together to invest in some major improvements to the station and that SWR has been able to play its part in that through our Customer and Communities Improvement Fund as well as investments in information provision and the living wall. We know how important the quality of the customer experience at our stations is in attracting customers back to the railway, not just for SWR services but Great Western Railway’s route to Yeovil and Bristol too.
“We look forward to working with our partners to promote rail travel to Weymouth; the Community Rail Partnership is on the lookout for volunteers to start a station adoption group.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
