A DORSET law firm has won praise for its ‘pivotal role’ in securing a historic lease allowing Swanage to be linked with the main Lon-don to Weymouth railway line.

Ellis Jones Solicitors acted for Swanage Railway in the complex negotiations with Dorset County Council and Network Rail. The local authority had acquired three miles of additional trackbed just south of Ware-ham to Furzebrook, the start of the existing Swan-age Railway, from Network Rail.

The county council has now leased the land for the next 99 years to the railway plus the existing six-and-a-half mile line, on a shorter lease.

Peter Sills chairman of Swanage Railway Company, said: “Securing a 99-year lease was one of the key elements in realising our ambitions to have passenger trains running on the main line to Swanage.

“Ellis Jones played an absolutely pivotal role in this.

“It means a large piece of jigsaw puzzle is now in place and we can now press ahead with the major work, including track restoration, needed for the next stage of this historic project.”

Nigel Taylor, a partner with Ellis Jones and head of the commercial department, said: “Swanage Railway has been a client of Ellis Jones for more than ten years and we’re proud to have acted for them on such a lease.”