WORK on Weymouth train station’s £1million redevelopment is nearing completion but some commuters and councillors have raised concerns over its value for money.

The project, which began last November, was initially slated to be completed by March but the “main construction phase” is now set to be finished next week.

Opinions have been split among commuters, with some saying they felt the development “looked a far sight better than before” whilst others questioned the project's value for money.

Darren, a commuter, said: “From what I’ve seen the progress does seem to have been rather slow for what we've got: they can’t even get the signs straight.

“I’m not entirely sure where all the money has gone. It’s all rather disappointing to be honest."

A new bus stop has been installed outside the forecourt with the X52, X53 and 502 stopping at the station.

WEYMOUTH Town and Dorset Council councillor Jon Orrell said he feels the improvements at the station are "a start" but that there is a lot more to be done in order to promote sustainable transport options within Weymouth.

He said: "It's a missed opportunity, definitely, there was a real chance to create an integrated hub for public transport like they have done at Poole. 

"They have made some progress and at least some of the buses will stop at the station but it really should be all of the services. 

"The council has spent all this money but, really, they're probably half way there and are likely going to have revisit it at a later date to create a proper public transport interchange. "

But David Burchill, resident and member of a local community forum said he worried about the potential for increased congestion as a result of the new bus routes.

He said: “I want to reserve judgement a little because it is not finished yet, but for a million pounds we would like it to look nicer.

"Let’s be honest, with how the station looks at the moment it is not really the welcome that visitors want to see, but again we will have to take another look once it is really finished up.”

The redevelopment includes improvements to the station forecourt and the creation of a walkway and cycle path linking the Jubilee Business Park and King Street: landscaping will be complete towards the autumn.

Cllr Orrell, who represents Melcombe Regis, said any future plans needed to encourage further use of public transport.

He said: "Obviously as a Green councillor I want to get far more people on public transport and that means improving the connectivity of trains and buses: making use of the park and ride properly and providing regular public transport options that make it viable for people not to drive."

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “The new layout of the station forecourt is a vast improvement on what was there previously and has been transformed in a truly collaborative way.

"The overall aim of the changes were to make the forecourt area more welcoming to our visitors, make it a safer space with less anti-social behaviour and to maximise sustainable travel options by improving onward bus links.

“Views from residents and businesses were sought during the development stages of this design, along with those from the Town Council and other stakeholders which have helped shape the new layout.

"At the formal opening later this year, we will celebrate this as a great example of how councils can work in partnership with the local community to deliver much needed improvements.”

At the time of approval the total cost to deliver the improvements, put together by the Dorset Coast Forum, was at £997,096 and included a £450,000 grant from the South Western Railway Customer and Communities Improvement Fund. The remainder of the funding has been provided by Dorset Council, Public Health Dorset, Weymouth BID and Weymouth Town Council.