NEW calls were made today for authorities to come to a decision over Weymouth's redundant harbourside tramway.

It follows two motorcycle accidents in the space of a week blamed on the line.

The harbourside railway used to serve the Channel Island ferries but has not seen regular services for almost 20 years.

Steve Rogers and Aaron White who were both thrown from their machines say action must be taken before someone is killed.

They believe the rails and the road surface around them should be made safe - or the line ripped up.

Electrician Mr Rogers, 48, said: "Cracks have appeared between the rail and road in various places along the quay and the height difference between them is two to three inches, it's disgraceful.

"If the pavement was in that state people would be outraged and wouldn't hesitate to sue if they tripped.

"Surely the lines cannot be used in the state they are in so they should either be removed or made safe so there is not the risk of further, possibly more serious, accidents and injuries."

Mr Rogers, of Wyke Regis, was lucky to escape relatively unscathed in the accident on Custom House Quay, but his 1,500cc cruiser bike was damaged.

Weymouth College student Aaron White, 16, was treated in hospital after the front wheel of his 50cc bike became locked in the line, also on Custom House Quay.

He was not seriously hurt when the bike landed on his leg but went into shock and an ambulance was called.

Aaron said: "I was crossing over the rails slowly when it happened but it had been raining which made it dangerous.

"The nurses said to me they had treated a lot of people who have had similar accidents.

"I think the tracks could be made safe at little cost by putting lengths of wood along the groove."

But Aaron's mum Fiona Mudge believes the line should be ripped up.

"I don't see what we are waiting for," she said.

Campaign for Better Transport spokesman David Redgewell said his group would vehemently oppose the closure of the line as it believes it would be ideal for a tram-style service as demonstrated by the Parry People Mover in the West Midlands.

The closure procedure would be lengthy and would require an Act of Parliament to be rescinded, he said.

The tramway has come under scrutiny this autumn as Howard Holdings wants to acquire part of the line and the ferry station for the Pavilion redevelopment.

This has prompted discussions between Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Network Rail.

Borough council spokesman for partnerships and special projects Howard Legg said he was 'dismayed' to learn of the accidents.

He stressed the council was not the responsible authority to deal with it. Coun Legg added: "I offer my sympathies for any loss or injury that has occurred as a result of the tramway and hope that the situation can be resolved in the near future."

The upkeep of the line and the road surface around it is the responsibility of Network Rail. However despite repeated calls by the Echo to Network Rail no-one was available to comment.

In August the company said in a statement it was in discussions about the line's future and had not yet come to a conclusion.