Gillingham rail station is to benefit from a series of projects to enhance its role as a gateway to the Blackmore Vale.

Dorset Council has been given £26,000 to spend on initiatives to establish the station as a ‘multi-modal hub’ and encourage walking and cycling visitors. The money comes from South West Railways’ customer and communities, improvement fund, which is also backing other projects.

Dorset Wildlife Trust has been granted £27,000 to also improve walking routes linked to the station as part of the Gillingham Royal Forest project.

And Gillingham Town Council has won £6,000 to install six self-watering herbetums to complement planting at the station and protect pollinators.

“It is all good healthy stuff to stop people driving,” said Dorset councillor Derek Beer, who is also chair of the Blackmore Vale Community Rail Partnership (BVCRP). Anything that can be done to encourage non-car travel is sensible.”

The Partnership represents the six rail stations between Tisbury and Crewkerne, which has already benefitted from a SWR grant to provide wayfinding information boards at each station.
Now Dorset Council is to start work on its project, which will include additional cycle parking and “high quality” information on onward travel including walking, cycling, buses and taxis.

Simultaneously, Dorset Wildlife Trust continues its Royal Forest project, which aims to work with the town to restore, recreate and reconnect an historic landscape while contributing to the sustainable development of Gillingham. Its funding will be spent to improve walking routes linked to the station and provide multi format information, including leaflets, signage and interpretation plus a series of educational events. Meanwhile, another exciting project is also under consideration by the BVCRP – to provide electric bicycles at each of its stations.

“We are talking to a company in Exeter to provide these bikes. They are really quite excited,” said Cllr Beer.

Several walking and cycling routes already exist in North Dorset, including the White Hart Link, a 50-mile circular walk which connects the six towns in the area. National Cycling Routes N25 and N253 also run through Gillingham, the latter including Motcombe, where cyclists have been welcome at its shop.

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.