End of the line for Weymouth's harbourside tracks

Dorset Council has revealed plans to tear up a section of the disused 'harbourside tramway' line from the Pavilion car park next month to investigate how the tracks could be removed in future to improve safety.

From March 2 until March 20 a highways gang will be working on a section of rail at the Pavilion car park next to the old station platform on the harbourside.

The exploratory work will see 25 to 50 metres of track being taken up, costing an estimated £25,000.

Plans for the removal were agreed last year by Dorset Council as part of an extra £1 million worth of road repairs for Weymouth.

However, tearing them up could cost many millions as the sleepers are buried under the road surface.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: “There are several sections of rail that present a safety issue and work is ongoing to understand how to reduce the risk for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. We don’t yet know whether this will be through the removal of the lines or by infilling.

“We are working closely with Network Rail, which has decommissioned this branch line so it cannot be used again for transport.”

Network Rail is responsible for the old rail infrastructure, with highways responsible for maintaining the surrounding road.

The tracks have caused a series of accidents over the years and are particularly hazardous when wet.

As reported, in February 1989 mother of triplets Alison Palmer, a former policewoman, was left with severe brain damage after her patrol car slid on wet railway lines in Commercial Road and hit a wall.

But there have also been calls to preserve the line, which opened in 1865 to link Weymouth train station with Channel Island ferries. Last year Campaign for Better Transport put forward a case for it to be reopened as a tram line to offer eco-friendly transport around the town.

The line fell out of regular use in 1990. A special service in 1999 was the last ever train to grace its tracks.