11.02.13
Swanage Railway to be restored
A Dorset rail service is to be restored after 41 years, with a £1.47m Government grant for the Swanage Railway.
A regular service between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Wareham is to be restored by spring 2015 and the project could create up to 50 jobs.
Work will include upgrading track and bridges and two 1960’s heritage diesel bus trains to mainline running standards. Trial services are planned in 2015 and 2016 and it is hoped a year-round service will follow.
A £500,000 level crossing across the Wytch Farm oil field and a park and ride access road near Corfe Castle are being funded by BP and Perenco and Purbrook District and Dorset County Councils have allocated £3.2m for a new track point at Worgret Junction.
Swanage Railway Company chairman, Peter Sills: “We are elated at this historic news because the Swanage Railway has been campaigning to bring back regular trains from Swanage and Corfe Castle to Wareham since 1972.
“We are working closely with Network Rail and Dorset County Council to ensure that land access and lease arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.”
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