First look at Weymouth's new train station forecourt

Next Thursday the council's Planning committee is to vote on whether or not to give its own plans the green light, after funding for the project was secured last month. 

The aim is to make the forecourt more welcoming and encourage public transport use - linking up with a proposed cycle lane along Weymouth Harbour.

If approved, the £1million scheme will see the creation of a new one-way system for taxis, with two bus services also calling there.

Normal traffic will no longer exit onto Queen Street, which would be for taxis and buses only. The majority of vehicles will instead be rerouted via a new exit onto King Street next to the Esso garage, with a separate car park also being created for private vehicles, in a bid to manage traffic flow.

Bird's eye view of the new-look forecourt All pictures: Dorset Council

• Read more: Funding now secured for rail station project after budget shortfall expected
• Read more: Dorset Council supports plans to transform Weymouth train station

The redesign will also see the creation of a walkway and cycle path linking the Jubilee Business Park and King Street, called Pocket Park. The aim is for it to become a Railway Heritage Park to reflect the history of the railway and former tram lines along the harbour.

• Read more: King Street plan slammed amid plans to reroute traffic

The revamp has been criticised as a missed opportunity, however, due to the fact that only two bus services will call there - the X53 to Axminster, and the seasonal 502 to Littlesea holiday park.

Criticisms were made at the lack of support from bus operator First Wessex

Members of Weymouth Town Council's Planning committee say the project, which is being funded by Dorset Council and Network Rail, could prevent a genuine public transport hub being built in the future.

• Read more: 'It will become a drug den!' Councillors are NOT happy about train station revamp plan

Councillors have raised misgivings over the Pocket Park amid fears it could exacerbate existing anti-social behaviour problems, with the train station already a notorious hub for street drinking and drugs.

A Pocket Park will connect the station to Jubilee Sidings retail park

Concerns were also raised about the new junction, which will mean additional vehicles pulling out onto busy King Street.

However Dorset Council said it hopes that the redesign will make the area more welcoming and pedestrian friendly, and will be a catalyst for South Western Railway, Network Rail and local partners to develop the station building.