Dorset Council and Network Rail are celebrating after winning over £1.1m in special government funding to improve road safety in Weymouth by removing the rail tracks from the old Weymouth Harbour Branch Line.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced today that Dorset Council was successful in its joint bid with Network Rail for funding to dismantle and remove the rails and to reinstate the carriageway. This will remove an ongoing hazard to cyclists and other vulnerable road users, reducing the number of incidents resulting in personal injuries.
Local Highways authorities were challenged by the DfT to put forward schemes which could make a real difference to road users. 32 successful councils were awarded a share of £93.4 million to repair roads and bridges as part of the latest push by Government to improve connectivity, by helping councils fix key infrastructure, tackling congestion and improving journeys.
The Weymouth Harbour Branch Line is a redundant railway line along Commercial Road and Custom House Quay which access the town centre, the harbour and peninsula area.
Network Rail is responsible for the old rail infrastructure, with Dorset Council responsible for maintaining the surrounding road. These rail lines are fully decommissioned and cannot be repurposed for other uses due to their deteriorated condition.
The award from the DfT equates to £1.137million from central government funds, with an additional £200,000 contributed by Dorset Council and Network Rail respectively. The total project scheme is estimated to cost £1.537million.
From 2 to 20 March, a Highways team will be removing 25m-50m of track in the Pavilion Car Park next to the old station platform on the harbourside, to learn how best to complete any future removal.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, said:
“We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to secure additional funding to carry out this work. The removal of the old tracks will help keep our roads safe for both cyclists and pedestrians, which we also hope will result in a reduction in vehicle emissions as more people take to walking and cycling in the area. The scheme should also reduce associated road maintenance costs and improve access to key development sites within the Weymouth regeneration area.”
Cllr Tony Ferrari, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Assets at Dorset Council, added:
“I’d like to thank our colleagues at the Department for Transport and Network Rail for their support, and we’re very happy that central government money – rather than Dorset Council Tax – will provide most of the funding for this work. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of our investigation work next month so we can pull together an action plan and timetable. This scheme is one of several projects we’re working on that we hope will demonstrate a commitment from Dorset Council to help unlock Weymouth’s potential in the coming years.”
(Image: Ian1000 at English Wikipedia / Public domain)
It seems a shame that the rails tracks on the harbour tramway are being removed. They were such a potent reminder of the importance of Weymouth Harbour as a passenger and cargo seaport when 100’s of thousands of passengers (at least) and millions of tons of cargo were shipped along it from the the late 1800’s (1865 I believe). I walked and drove over the tramway lines for more years than I can remember, and strangely didn’t have one accident; either on foot or in a car.
I completely agree! Car, foot & bicycle – I have never had a problem with the tracks. A real shame to lose a piece of heritage like this.
Wouldn’t it be a great idea to use the area in front of the railway station as further car parking to ease the problem on residential parking around the A ,B and C permit area ofWeymouth.
I know the new parking permit system will be introduced in February but this would definitely improve that area which is definitely looking a little run down as many of the local business premises are pulling out or have already shut.
Whereas my wife had a very nasty fall when the front wheel of her bicycle got trapped in the gap between the rails …. cars aren’t the issue.
If the ferry still existed I’d say the potential for the lines were of Great importance, but with no ferry it seems the function of the lines seem only to strengthen the harbour wall and roads. Pity! I’ve never had a problem with them either.!!
REALLY?! Is that really the best use you can find to improve life for the residents of Weymouth? As Nigel says these tracks are a piece of industrial archaeology, a piece of Weymouth’s History! What possible risk could they pose that will justify such a pointless waste of public funding. Some of us can remember arriving at Weymouth by Ferry from Cherbourg and witnessed the unique progress of London Trains along the harbourside to the Ferry Terminal. Obviously that will never happen again? …but removing the rails! I think you need to be looking at more pressing issues. 🙁
Could not agree more. Considering the need more than ever to keep green transport initiatives alive it is is pity more work was not done to add hard rubber inserts into the rail gaps to keep out cycle wheels and other debris that can cause safety issues. After all there have been new tramways built in many cities in the north somehow here in the south there is no such thing as a Southern powerhouse to keep such assets going to facilitate keeping one of the last places where rail users can disembark onto a ship or ferry and travel onward by sea. True getting trains to the Quay was always fraught with odd problems of badly parked cars or rarely a flooded quay but despite one or two brave attempts to save the line we see yet another loss of a useful asset that could have in itself boosted tourism alongside the steam charters that still visit Weymouth. A sad day and in good wasteful fashion I suppose even the track will not be offered as sidings to local railways groups.
Malcolm
The rail tracks have been there a long time. Just because cyclists and such like think it is fun to go in the tracks not thinking there is debris in them, they then go over board. We’ve seen it many a time last year – even a family was trying it. Why should Weymouth change for these silly people.
completely agree with the above comment. Why do things which have worked well for years have to be changed, especially in such a unique and attractive ‘old’ place like along the quay.
Is it possible to provide a notice board, with photos, of this historical and important stretch of track? Maybe one along the harbour and another nearer to the town centre, along the back water?
I do think it is time for it to go, and many locals and visitors have fond memories of its history.
Shurely these lines could be just filled in and a top dressing added as a lot cheaper option.
What a waste of money, given the state of the Westham underpasses.
I think that it is criminal to remove these tracks – especially in the name of ‘green transport’. Why not use them as a horse-drawn or electric tramway to carry visitors from the Swannery and station along the quayside? With the only ideas coming from the council being more shops, bars and restaurants, the destruction of a unique asset removes yet another reason for people to come here rather than anywhere else along the coastline. What a shame for our current businesses.
As stated in the release, these rail lines are fully decommissioned and cannot be repurposed for other uses due to their deteriorated condition.