REDUNDANT railway arches in Blandford could be demolished or even turned into a new amenity.

Residents are being asked to take part in a consultation about the Langton railway arches at Stour Meadows, behind Somerfield supermarket, which are leased by the town council from North Dorset District Council.

A working group of town councillors has come up with various ideas, including having a train reconstruction on the top of the structure, a projected 3D moving train image that could be used for events, or even using the space for recreational use such as a picnic area.

The other option is demolishing the arches, which would involve an initial cost to carry out the work but no ongoing costs to the town council after that.

Deputy town mayor Sara Loch told the Daily Echo: "We are wondering what to do with the arches.

"As they stand at the moment they are getting more and more unsafe.

"We have them fenced off so people can't climb up on them. Before we spend a vast sum of money making them safe, we are asking the public what they think.

"It is taxpayers' money that would go towards doing them all up."

She added: "It's just seeing what people think. We know that some people are passionate about them and about us keeping them.

"Others may not be. If the majority say we couldn't care less, we have to listen. It's democracy."

  • Members of the public should write to Blandford Forum Town Council to express their views before Friday, January 18, addressing their letters to Town Clerk's Office, Church Lane, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AD.