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HEART
OF WESSEX RAIL PARTNERSHIP
What is it?
The Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership brings together
nine councils through whose areas the line runs. These include
Dorset, Somerset
and Wiltshire County Councils, Bristol City
and Bath & North East Somerset Councils; Mendip,
South Somerset and West Dorset District Councils
and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. Together with
the train operator we aim to promote
the railway, improve local information
provision (for line-side communities and visitors)
and encourage growth in local economies
without encouraging more road congestion and pollution.
What does it do?
The Partnership aims to promote both the rail line and the local
businesses (especially small, independent enterprises) that can
benefit from it. It produces information to attract visitors
to towns, villages and countryside along the line - in particular
with its regularly updated Line Guide. Amongst other partnership
publications are the Bristol to Weymouth Line Guide, summer Guided
Walks programme and a detailed guide to the "car-free"
connections between the Heart of Wessex Line and the Kennet
and Avon Canal and waterways between Bristol and Bradford
on Avon.
We also initiate, co-ordinate
and help to fund station improvements. Some major
achievements over the last two years have included significant
partnership projects at Dorchester West, Bruton, Westbury and
Maiden Newton stations. A Local
Grants Scheme is available for voluntary community
groups who wish to make improvements to stations, boost use of
the line, or promote local economies through rail travel to their
local stations.
To increase community involvement along the line a Community
Rail Working Party has been established. In the quarterly
meetings of this group of voluntary community representatives
play a significant and role in furthering the needs of local rail
users and small businesses.
For more information
on Communities and Local Grants, click on the link to the
left of your screen.
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