Calls to tear up Weymouth's tramway lines (From Dorset Echo)
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Calls to tear up Weymouth's tramway lines
8:00am Thursday 15th July 2010 in
NEW calls were made today to tear up Weymouth’s historic harbourside railway line.
Motorcyclist Becky Leeming blames the rails, known as the tramway, for an accident in which she was thrown from her bike in Commercial Road.
She believes the redundant line should be scrapped as it poses a danger to road users.
The line was laid to serve Weymouth Quay but regular services stopped in the 1980s.
Since then it has been used occasionally by special trains carrying enthusiasts.
The last one was several years ago.
Some believe the line has a future and should be included in integrated transport plans while others appreciate it for its heritage value – reflected in a 2001 Dorset Echo reader poll when people said they would like the tracks to stay.
However, it remains the bane of cyclists and bikers.
The tramway is part of the national rail network until it is closed, a lengthy operation requiring a public inquiry and government intervention.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council entered into negotiations with Network Rail to buy the lines so it could close them but the deal never went through.
Becky, 23, who lives in the Park District, was on her way to work at Debenhams where she is employed as a supervisor when the accident happened as she turned into the harbourside car park.
She said: “I was careful going over the tracks because it had been raining and I’ve seen enough people come off before.
“As my wheels went over they locked into the rails. It was really scary. There wasn’t anything I could’ve done to prevent it.
“My bike started wobbling and I had no control so I let go and was thrown over the handlebars into the road.”
Becky escaped with bruises but an ambulance crew was called as a precaution. Motorists and passers-by stopped to offer assistance.
Becky said: “Although I was not seriously hurt it could have been a lot worse, especially if there was more traffic about.
“The accident has affected my confidence and I haven’t ridden since.
“Something has to be be done about the lines. They’re not being used so let’s get rid of them.
“How many more accidents does it take before something is done?”
Dorset County Council which has responsibility for highways said the line is the responsibility of Network Rail.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “A number of options have been discussed with various parties about the future of the line.
“None of these options are being progressed further at this stage and therefore the line will remain as it is for the foreseeable future.
“Any decision to take forward any of the options would likely be subject to consultation.”
Comments(46)
B.H
says...
8:48am Thu 15 Jul 10
Now the tourists information centre is at the pavilion could be the time to run a tram from the station.
ThisisWeymouth
says...
8:53am Thu 15 Jul 10
If you've seen others have accidents why not dismount and push your bike over the track? So many people these days want to shift the blame insteading of taking responsibility for their own actions"
Peter Baylis
says...
9:27am Thu 15 Jul 10
Duckorange
says...
9:36am Thu 15 Jul 10
vodkaholic
says...
9:56am Thu 15 Jul 10
fernando
says...
10:01am Thu 15 Jul 10
I think a tram should go along the quay to the pavillion and pick up a hovercraft to Portland or would that be an attraction?
Bert Fry
says...
10:04am Thu 15 Jul 10
And, yes, I do speak as a 'victim' of these relics of a bygone era.
ThisisWeymouth
says...
10:09am Thu 15 Jul 10
gordimil123
says...
10:23am Thu 15 Jul 10
“My bike started wobbling and I had no control so I let go and was thrown over the handlebars into the road.”
Did she not think to stop and put her feet down?
The point is that these redundant tracks have, and continue to cause accidents, some serious. To have such an obvious hazard on a road and to continue to ignore it simply does not make sense.
Statistics are required. Can any of these commenter's provide accident numbers, and in comparison with other parts of the country that have similar tracks.
The council should do something about them. More money wasted would then be the complaint.
Perhaps the alternative routes to work would be a far cheaper solution for all concerned.
ballstoit
says...
10:23am Thu 15 Jul 10
Its blatantly obvious they'll never be used again.
People have been talking about trams in Weymouth for years now and nothing has ever come of it.
The tracks were even repaired some years back to make them 'useable' again - by what who knows??
Sidney Hall
says...
10:30am Thu 15 Jul 10
I'll get my bright orange protest flag for my garden, and phone the echo. They can take a photo of me pointing at it.
daddykingcool
says...
10:45am Thu 15 Jul 10
echorubbish
says...
10:57am Thu 15 Jul 10
Bert Fry
says...
11:02am Thu 15 Jul 10
Mr-tumble
says...
12:55pm Thu 15 Jul 10
bluecat
says...
1:10pm Thu 15 Jul 10
dorsetdog
says...
1:15pm Thu 15 Jul 10
They are part of our heritage and a characteristic of Weymouth and agree they should be brought back to some form of use.
Imagine what a money spinner and attraction it would be to have a small tram or a single car DMU going from the pavilion to the station, or come to that if the Portland line was still open today, travelling along the causeway up to Easton.
jollybaggins
says...
1:21pm Thu 15 Jul 10
whathealthandsafety
says...
1:24pm Thu 15 Jul 10
bluecat wrote:Why would elf & safty not allow them to be used. On the contrary, if they were to be re-installed completely they would be a beneficial attraction to Weymouth and also cut down the amount of cars etc that use the centre of town. Until this is decided, caps can be put between the gaps but where does the money come from?
The rails should be removed ASAP. I know of several people injured on them. They are clearly dangerous. Have a look at them, particularly outside the Coast guard offices. Health and Safety would never allow them to be used.
Stunned
says...
1:33pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Bert Fry
says...
1:44pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Mr Dudbrey
says...
1:49pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Ponder this though... We need MORE tram lines in the road that are just the right width for motorcycle tyres. Maybe this will then force these 'mindless road hooligans' to travel within the speed limits...
echorubbish
says...
2:09pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Baxters
says...
2:34pm Thu 15 Jul 10
X Old Bill
says...
3:00pm Thu 15 Jul 10
I have seen disused tramlines in France, Germany, Austria and Italy (and a few still used as well). People just realise that they are there and allow for them.
If you want to deal with something really dangerous then how about a harbour full of water with no fences around it - People have drowned! That is worse than a grazed knee surely.
algy
says...
3:57pm Thu 15 Jul 10
algy
says...
3:57pm Thu 15 Jul 10
echorubbish
says...
4:07pm Thu 15 Jul 10
X Old Bill wrote:If you want to deal with something really dangerous then how about a harbour full of water with no fences around it.
The only 'unique' feature about Weymouth tramlines is that they once carried mainline railway trains. Other than that they are the same as tramlines everywhere else. I have seen disused tramlines in France, Germany, Austria and Italy (and a few still used as well). People just realise that they are there and allow for them. If you want to deal with something really dangerous then how about a harbour full of water with no fences around it - People have drowned! That is worse than a grazed knee surely.
Would you like a fence around it ?.
Mick from the rock
says...
4:14pm Thu 15 Jul 10
weymouth2010 wrote:As per norm for the authorities no one excepts responsibility,we are getting use to this,they dont need digging up they need covering with a rubber mould that fits inside the rail with a flat grip surface on top,but alas this is TOO easy and straight forward(also cheaper than any alternative) WPBC as usual are unable to think outside the box because they rely on computers instead of common dog.Also they are not dangerous unless you are daydreaming and trying to cross them from an incorrect angle(many seem to cross without falling even when the surface is wet and slippery).these lines could bring badly needed business to the area if managed properly instead of mis-managed which seems to be a theme that runs through our entire council system starting from the top down and not listening to good ideas that are well meant from the average Joe,which in my humble opinion is often way better than a degree qualified wet behind the ears and NO life experienced managers ideas. RIP Weymouth town centre.
so to get rid of the lines would mean digging them up. the road has only just been redone so it would have to be done again, then every one would moan about the waste of money and the traffic jams and so on and so forth.
dont get rid and people will still complain about getting hurt if they came off their bikes like this lady did. (though i dont see why she couldnt have walked from the park district to work its not that far, unless she was running really late)
so really your wrong if you do and wrong if you dont
Kaptain_Von
says...
4:42pm Thu 15 Jul 10
As other posters have pointed out, drain covers, manhole covers, and any other metal plates set into the road can be slippery, you just have to be aware of that and use some sense.
Back in the 1980s when I lived down that way it was far more dangerous. There were times when you popped out for a pint of milk and came face to face with a train trundling past the front door. Furthermore, I can't remember that many people coming a cropper back then either. My then girlfriend cycled to work and I rode a motorbike and neither of us ever had any problems as far as I recall.
RobinofLocksley
says...
4:55pm Thu 15 Jul 10
s
X Old Bill
says...
4:56pm Thu 15 Jul 10
echorubbish wrote:OK, let me put it simply - You can see it, you know it is there, you know what the dangers are - So you treat it accordingly, just as people all over the world do on a daily basis.
X Old Bill wrote:If you want to deal with something really dangerous then how about a harbour full of water with no fences around it.
The only 'unique' feature about Weymouth tramlines is that they once carried mainline railway trains. Other than that they are the same as tramlines everywhere else. I have seen disused tramlines in France, Germany, Austria and Italy (and a few still used as well). People just realise that they are there and allow for them. If you want to deal with something really dangerous then how about a harbour full of water with no fences around it - People have drowned! That is worse than a grazed knee surely.
Would you like a fence around it ?.
Tram lines, Harbour, Main road, High kerbs etc.- all dangerous to some extent and even more so if you disregard the obvious.
.
Do you see my point now?
regardez
says...
6:40pm Thu 15 Jul 10
melcombe boy
says...
7:48pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Mick from the rock wrote:Its nice to agree with you for a change.
weymouth2010 wrote: so to get rid of the lines would mean digging them up. the road has only just been redone so it would have to be done again, then every one would moan about the waste of money and the traffic jams and so on and so forth. dont get rid and people will still complain about getting hurt if they came off their bikes like this lady did. (though i dont see why she couldnt have walked from the park district to work its not that far, unless she was running really late) so really your wrong if you do and wrong if you dontAs per norm for the authorities no one excepts responsibility,we are getting use to this,they dont need digging up they need covering with a rubber mould that fits inside the rail with a flat grip surface on top,but alas this is TOO easy and straight forward(also cheaper than any alternative) WPBC as usual are unable to think outside the box because they rely on computers instead of common dog.Also they are not dangerous unless you are daydreaming and trying to cross them from an incorrect angle(many seem to cross without falling even when the surface is wet and slippery).these lines could bring badly needed business to the area if managed properly instead of mis-managed which seems to be a theme that runs through our entire council system starting from the top down and not listening to good ideas that are well meant from the average Joe,which in my humble opinion is often way better than a degree qualified wet behind the ears and NO life experienced managers ideas. RIP Weymouth town centre.
weypaul
says...
8:04pm Thu 15 Jul 10
A clear case for compensation if ever there was one. Couple of grand should do it
seemydog
says...
8:06pm Thu 15 Jul 10
FrancisKing
says...
10:53pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Mick from the rock
says...
12:26pm Fri 16 Jul 10
FrancisKing wrote:wow thats some crystall ball you have Francis, they WILL NEVER be used again ? wake up n smell the coffe man,these lines COULD be a tourist attraction and bring business (once again) to Weymouth,like I said in previous comments they need covering not digging up,so in future they CAN be used again,the line should be reinstated through wyke to Portland and it should of been done in time for the games but sadly we have no one in charge with ANY good ideas or common dog the entire coucil pen pushing workforce has the combined brain power of 2 cows,about the same as anyone else that wants them removed instead of reinstating.
The rails will not be used again. The heavy-rail trains which used to go along the track went at a snail's pace. The single track starts in the middle of the road at the railway station end, veers from one side of the road to the other, before ending up in the one and only road lane on Custom House Quay. The rails have sunk down in places. It is utterly impractical for trams or trains. It is only the cost of removing the rails that means they are still there all those years later.
melcombe boy
says...
1:13pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Mick from the rock wrote:It could also link up to the new park and ride site at the Spa. How brilliant would that be. A light rail link into town and on to Portland. It would help solve numerous traffic problems in the Borough.
FrancisKing wrote: The rails will not be used again. The heavy-rail trains which used to go along the track went at a snail's pace. The single track starts in the middle of the road at the railway station end, veers from one side of the road to the other, before ending up in the one and only road lane on Custom House Quay. The rails have sunk down in places. It is utterly impractical for trams or trains. It is only the cost of removing the rails that means they are still there all those years later.wow thats some crystall ball you have Francis, they WILL NEVER be used again ? wake up n smell the coffe man,these lines COULD be a tourist attraction and bring business (once again) to Weymouth,like I said in previous comments they need covering not digging up,so in future they CAN be used again,the line should be reinstated through wyke to Portland and it should of been done in time for the games but sadly we have no one in charge with ANY good ideas or common dog the entire coucil pen pushing workforce has the combined brain power of 2 cows,about the same as anyone else that wants them removed instead of reinstating.
Alas, nothing more than a dream because such a scheme would cost hundreds of millions.
weymouthfox
says...
1:36pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Mick from the rock
says...
3:27pm Fri 16 Jul 10
melcombe boy wrote:Spot on Mel,they spend 80 million on slowing down traffic instead,we have some real bright sparks @ DCC,and WPBC the only thing you missed out was a chair lift from the Cove to Tophill,now thats a tourist attraction eh lol .
Mick from the rock wrote:It could also link up to the new park and ride site at the Spa. How brilliant would that be. A light rail link into town and on to Portland. It would help solve numerous traffic problems in the Borough.
FrancisKing wrote: The rails will not be used again. The heavy-rail trains which used to go along the track went at a snail's pace. The single track starts in the middle of the road at the railway station end, veers from one side of the road to the other, before ending up in the one and only road lane on Custom House Quay. The rails have sunk down in places. It is utterly impractical for trams or trains. It is only the cost of removing the rails that means they are still there all those years later.wow thats some crystall ball you have Francis, they WILL NEVER be used again ? wake up n smell the coffe man,these lines COULD be a tourist attraction and bring business (once again) to Weymouth,like I said in previous comments they need covering not digging up,so in future they CAN be used again,the line should be reinstated through wyke to Portland and it should of been done in time for the games but sadly we have no one in charge with ANY good ideas or common dog the entire coucil pen pushing workforce has the combined brain power of 2 cows,about the same as anyone else that wants them removed instead of reinstating.
Alas, nothing more than a dream because such a scheme would cost hundreds of millions.
mark@greenhill
says...
10:54am Sat 17 Jul 10
To use them again for anything heavy, would involve tearing up the entire length of track anyway, & relaying it.
HotBeaver1
says...
12:23pm Tue 20 Jul 10
NR don't want to use the tracks however nor do they want to pay for ripping them up. As far as I recall the tram scheme, proposed and tested a few years ago, fell over when NR said 'yes, you can lease the tracks, but first you have to pay to bring them up to standard'. I suspect that will always be the stumbling block for any plan to use them.
TRT
says...
11:57am Wed 28 Jul 10
I've not come off once due to them. If it wasn't those, it's be drain covers or potholes or flocks of seagulls.
Anyway, I for one would pay cold hard cash to ride on a speedy and modern Olympic monorail!
Arthur_Two-Stroke
says...
8:29pm Wed 28 Jul 10
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Becky Leeming with the disused rail tracks along Commercial Road in Weymouth
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weymouth2010 says...
8:41am Thu 15 Jul 10
dont get rid and people will still complain about getting hurt if they came off their bikes like this lady did. (though i dont see why she couldnt have walked from the park district to work its not that far, unless she was running really late)
so really your wrong if you do and wrong if you dont