MP’s petition on rail staff cuts

West Dorset MP and former railway worker

Chris Loder has launched a petition, fearing plans to reduce staff at Dorchester South station will ‘leave disabled passengers stranded’.

Mr Loder slammed South Western Railway for its proposals to halve ticket office opening hours at the station, saying: “This is the sort of morally bankrupt company business that this railway company has become.”

He added: “South Western

Railway (SWR) have had to propose to government how it wishes to reform station operations in light of the news that just 12% of train tickets are sold at station ticket offices.

“In principle, I agree that staff at stations should not be stuck behind a ticket office window when no one is wanting to buy a ticket, but this should not be used as an excuse to reduce the staffing hours.

“I no longer think that SWR is a reputable operator with any concern for rural Dorset. Among other concerns, the train company leave disabled passengers stranded and, despite a quick fix being available, they will not change the planned platform of trains at Dorchester South so disabled and elderly people can more easily board the train.”

To sign Chris’s petition head to chrisloder.co.uk/ ticketoffices You can also email Transport Focus at ticketoffice.swr@transport focus.org.uk

Network deal

Dorset-based internet service provider Wessex Internet has announced its new partnership with Nokia for network technology.

The company is rolling out cutting-edge Nokia technology to increase the resilience and capacity of its core network and ensure it can offer the fastest possible broadband speeds. As an additional benefit, by moving to this technology called XGS-PON, Wessex Internet effectively requires fewer fibres in the ground and cabinets above ground.

Work on 760-home project is due to start

Building work is set to start at Bridport’s 760-home Foundry Lea development this autumn. Barratt David Wilson and Countryside Partnerships say they will use local suppliers, craftspeople and tradespeople and will introduce a Skills Academy – an on-site learning environment for local people to develop practical skills in construction.

Just over a third of the homes will be ‘affordable’. A spokesman said: “We are conscious that residents are concerned at the potential for disruption when work starts at Foundry Lea. We are in discussion with Dorset Council over how the construction process will be managed and will shortly be submitting a construction and environment management plan, setting out key details including working hours, routes to site for work vehicles, and how we will minimise the impact of construction where possible.” The builders have pledged £6 million to support and upgrade community infrastructure and services through Section 106 funding. This will include a new primary school, sports pitches, a care home, and additional facilities at Bridport Medical Centre.