It's now over to residents who are being invited to have their say on plans to improve the area outside Weymouth railway station.

As reported, almost £600,000 has been secured to revamp the run-down station gateway.

The area is a hotspot for anti-social behaviour – only last week police were called to the station to deal with a drunken brawl involving a large group of people.

The aim of the Dorset Coast Forum (DCF) project is to make it safer and create an attractive cycle and walkway.

Businesses had the opportunity to comment on the proposals now it's the turn of the public.

DCF want to know how the local community uses the area, how they think it could be redesigned to be more pedestrian, cyclist and bus friendly, and be a more welcoming place for visitors.

The project is funded by the South Western Railway Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (SWR CCIF) and is being led by DCF in partnership with Dorset Council, Weymouth BID, Public Health Dorset and Weymouth Town Council.

DCF Coordinator Rhiannon Jones said: “We hope people will take this opportunity to have their say on what they would like to see in the area before designs are drawn up. After a temporary delay during the restrictions of Covid-19, we are happy to be able to get going. Although we have parameters we need to work within, we want to ensure we have a design that makes it a more attractive, safer and easier to use the space for both residents and visitors.”

The aim is to transform the first impressions of Weymouth station and make changes that will benefit local businesses and residents and improve the visitor experience.

The main focus is to enhance the 'look and feel' of the area, improve pedestrian and traffic flow in the station forecourt, have more joined up sustainable transport links, and create a railway heritage park which will be used as a cycle and walking link through to the station.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “I am happy to support this development because of the benefits this could bring to local businesses and the community. Weymouth station has been waiting a long time for better sustainable transport links and a more joined up strategy - this project will be a good link in a list of improvements that could be made to Weymouth transport network”

Mark Youngman, Customer and Communities Improvement Fund Manager for South Western Railway said: “We are all keen to move this project forward and are pleased to be working in partnership with the Dorset Coast Forum and other partners to improve the forecourt. There is clear support for the project, and we look forward to seeing a new and improved area.”

Visit www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk and complete the online survey where you will also find more detailed information about the project. The closing date is midnight on August 31.