Network Rail and Dorset Council have officially opened a new access ramp at Dorchester West railway station.
The ramp will provide step-free access to the station's platform one and to Dorset county hospital.
It will significantly improve access for people with buggies, disabled people, and people of restricted mobility, to and from the station and improve the journey between the station and Dorset County Hospital.
The £350,000 cost of the ramp was provided by funding from Network Rail, Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Town Council, and a private donation.
Previous access to platform one was via a stepped footbridge, which meant that people with reduced mobility could not get to Dorset County Hospital from trains that used platform one. Instead, they had to travel on to Weymouth, then change to a northbound train and use platform two.
Sustainability and biodiversity were at the heart of the project, as the ramp is constructed from recycled concrete and other materials sourced from a local construction site.
Six trees needed to be removed to allow the ramp to be built; they will be replaced with six new ones that will be primarily native and will replace a lost habitat for breeding-birds.
A new hedgehog house will be provided for hedgehogs within a newly landscaped area, and an invertebrate hotel will be built for insects amongst the vegetation, away from the walkway.
Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “The new ramp at Dorchester West will provide step-free access to platform one and give people access to the hospital from the station.
“Working with our partners Dorset Council and Great Western Railway (GWR), we have come up with a sustainable solution that will benefit the local community for years to come.”
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, said “This project has been years in the making, and it's fantastic to see this ramp built to provide step-free access to the platform.
“We're proud of our continued funding of sustainable travel projects to support greener travel choices for Dorset commuters, be that rail, bus or walking and cycling facilities.”
Dan Okey, GWR head of commercial development, said: “Previously over 160,000 people a year successfully used our assisted travel service, but we are always looking at how we can improve upon what we offer, to help reduce barriers for those with reduced mobility to travel by train.
“We hope investing in this new ramp, improving access to the station will allow even more people to take advantage of travelling by train.”
Bob Owen, chairman of South Wessex Community Rail Partnership, said “The improvement at Dorchester West is a welcome addition to one of the stations served by the new South Wessex Community Rail Partnership.
“We look forward to working with Dorset Council, Network Rail and other authorities and communities along the line to achieve further enhancements to the stations on this scenic route.”
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