Dorset Council submits funding bid to Levelling Up project

Dorset Council has submitted funding bids for a series of projects chosen following recommendations made in a public consultation as part of the government's Levelling Up fund.

The projects include the regeneration of Weymouth Harbourside, focusing on Brewers Quay, North Quay and the Peninsula, the creation of an Aquaculture Innovation Centre, and the extension of the facilities available to Dorset Innovation Park users, including waterfront access in Portland.

The funding would also be used to fund the Weymouth Train Station Access project, which would see a new crossing at the train station which is hoped will improve connectivity, enhance the pedestrian and cycle network and improve accessibility to the town.

The council has proposed a new 80-metre pedestrian and cycling bridge be built alongside the Swannery Bridge to connect to existing pedestrian and cycle paths either side of Radipole Lake which would connect the Rodwell Trail and routes to the train station and the Esplanade at Jubilee Clock.

Brand new bridge proposed for Weymouth Swannery Picture: Dorset Council

The breakdown of how much each project will cost has not yet been disclosed, but the council has confirmed it has bid for a total of £16.9 million - £2.44m of it for the Weymouth Train Station Access project.

Last month, the council launched a survey to gather feedback on public opinion on the train station access project proposal.

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A spokesman for the council said: "After running a brief survey last month, the Weymouth Train Station Access project - including the proposal for a new pedestrian/cycle bridge adjacent to the B3155 - was well-received.

"Combined with last year’s survey run by the Dorset Coast Forum regarding proposals for the station forecourt and pocket park elements of the bid, the key findings from both of these engagement processes include strong support for improving access for people on foot and by bike to Weymouth rail station and northern area of the town centre."

The survey found that 87 per cent of participants support the proposal for a new lower level foot and cycle bridge alongside the existing Swannery road bridge, 90 per cent support the proposal for an improved walking and cycling link along King Street through to Weymouth rail station, and 71 per cent support the proposal for cycling both ways on Park Street to allow southbound movement from the station to the town centre.

The council expects to hear if they have been awarded with funding for the submitted projects in the autumn