Work starts on development of Weymouth rail station

Temporary fencing has been put in place as phase one of the Weymouth Gateway project gets under way, with workers out in force removing pathways on the car park, in King Street.

A replacement taxi rank has also been introduced as well as a temporary public and staff car park on the forecourt in Queen Street, which is situated outside the main entrance to the rail station.

READ MORE: Start date revealed for £1m transformation work on Weymouth railway station

The Weymouth Gateway project promises to provide a more attractive and safer rail station environment bringing benefits to the community, businesses and all users of the station.

To view more images of the development so far, click on the interactive gallery above

Dorset Council's Ray Bryan for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: "I fully welcome this new design and support the proposals to deliver what the community wants.

"Residents views have been taken on board during the development stages of this design and along with other improvements happening in Weymouth over the winter. This is an example of the community working together in partnership to deliver much needed development in this area."

The work will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption and allow the station to fully operate as normal.

The next stage of the development, to create a walkway and cycle path linking Jubilee and King Street - called pocket park - will commence in the New Year.

The main infrastructure work and surfacing should be completed by the end of March 2022.

The rail station development was given the go ahead in early October, despite the proposals being criticised by some Weymouth councillors.

There are concerns the site will fail to meet the needs for an integrated transport exchange, with only one bus stop dedicated to the Wessex bus company.

Currently, rail services from the train station have been cancelled, but will resume from Saturday (November 27) onwards. The reason for the cancellation of trains running from the station is due to essential work being carried out on the railway bridge above Damers Road, in Dorchester - which started November 18.

Great Western Railway has said buses have replaced trains for journeys between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth every two hours.