RUSTING rail bridges in Dorchester are a disgrace to the town – and need to be improved, according to town councillors.

The ancient, corrugated metal bridge coverings near Maumbury Rings and in Allington Avenue are both badly corroded.

Cllr Stella Jones says the one in Allington Avenue is so bad that there are now holes in the structure and bits fall off it into the road.

Town planning chairman Cllr Robin Potter says both look tatty and should be improved, or replaced, by Network Rail.

Said Cllr Jones: “The one on Allington Avenue is in much worse condition. Two years ago the Heritage Committee got in touch Network Rail but they didn’t want to know about it …it’s now in such a bad way that it could be a danger as well as being ugly,” she said.

Mrs Jones said it is believed that the metal coverings were put on to avoid having to carry out repairs and maintenance to the original, more ornate, bridge structures behind the newer facing metal.

The town council is to now contact West Dorset MP Chris Loder to add the bridges to his list of rail improvements he has been campaigning for in Dorchester.