Weymouth Station Gateway equality impact assessment (EqIA)

Aims of the strategy

A partnership project was formed to look at how we can improve the area for businesses, residents and visitors and a bid to South West Railway Customer and Community Improvement Fund was successful.

The main aims are to:

enable interchange between buses and trains and sustainable transport links by redesigning the space for buses/coaches to drop and pick up
improve traffic flow throughout the forecourt without impacting on the surrounding traffic flow on King Street/Queen Street.
enable better pedestrian access and cycle routes through the forecourt area
creating an attractive walkway and cycle link from a narrow area which links two major business areas and runs alongside a section of closed rail line into a Railway Heritage Park
improved public realm by encouraging new businesses to the area and increase tourism
better wayfinding, interpretation and the provision of information

Transform the first Impressions by making the area more welcoming and safe for local residents and visitors to the town.

Weymouth Station Forecourt and Walkway

Background to the proposal

It has long been recognised that the Weymouth Train Station area needs improvement. The station itself is situated in one of the most deprived areas in England with social mobility issues and the station lends itself to be a place of congregation for anti-social behaviour. However, this in contrast with the vibrant offer from businesses including restaurants that face into the station and the beach front which is bustling during the tourist season just yards away.

It is a prime area for public realm improvements and this fits with the aims of local organisations such as Weymouth BID, Melcombe Regis Board and the Weymouth Coastal Community Team. It is also recognised nationally as part of the National Rail National Stations Improvement Programme. On a regional level, the improvements fit with the Dorset Council’s Public Realm Strategy and the Public Health Dorset agenda to improve health and wellbeing through public realm improvements.

The work that is carried out to transform the area will use a bottom-up approach, working with the businesses and community to deliver improvements that will have long lasting effects for the area and as an essential gateway into Weymouth.

Intelligence and communication

Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process

We targeted people, stakeholders and organisations to consult with who currently use the area or would like to see improvements made. We ran a month-long online survey with paper format available at the station for the community to comment on what was important to them and what they would like to see change.

The reasons why the paper survey options were limited and not more widely distributed was due to COVID-19 restrictions not being able or willing to host the forms and many community organisations were closed during this period. We also ran a two-week online survey for businesses, community organisation and stakeholder groups via Dorset Coast Have your Say

We have also used data from the Dorset Coastal Community Team Economic Connective Plan and the Weymouth Economic Plan. We used data from the Melcombe Regis Board and the project came out of discussions around the Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan.

The strategies and plans we used to inform the development of the project told us there is a desire for change in the area and that the station lies in an area of income and employment deprivation. Our research showed that the area is subject to anti-social behaviour issues. This was evidenced in a British Transport Police report Crime Prevention Site Survey report (ASB) for Weymouth railway station dated 2017. However, further information came from Dorset Police DC Community Safety Team and railway staff in their feedback.

From the Weymouth Town Centre masterplan, we can see there is consensus and support for development of the area, which will help support the communities around the station and provide an economic boost to Weymouth more generally.

Through our community consultations we can see the desire for change and the concerns people have with usage of the station. There was need for a more attractive and safer area, improved communication for wayfinding, sustainable transport links and more accessible space.

Concerns over undesirable behaviour with the station forecourt. Health & safety issues resulting from intimidation, night time access and lack of information and wayfinding to onward destination.

Further information needed to help inform this proposal

On-going communication with community stakeholders is feeding into the design process and desirable outcomes.

Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA

The project involved public consultation was conducted primarily via online survey due to COVID-19 restrictions, however paper copies were available within the station. This process was available for one month. In addition, local business were consulted for their feedback online prior to the public consultation. Other stakeholders were also consulted and included the following:

Dorset Council
South Western Rail
Network Rail
Weymouth Town Council
Weymouth Taxes
First Wessex Buses
Public Health Dorset
Weymouth Bid: Dorset Police
British Transport Police
community safety team

We have consulted with a range of other stakeholders such as the following:

the community safety team
British Transport Police
Dorset Police, Dorset Council
SWR, First Buses
Taxi Drivers
Public Health Dorset
Weymouth Town Council and Weymouth BID
Samaritans
the Lantern Centre
Weymouth Access Group
Park Street Community Centre
Rethink Mental Health.

Weymouth college was closed during the consultation period.

There has been regular engagement with the Dorset Council community safety team and a representative has been invited on to the Project Steering Group. We are happy to have future engagement with the hospital via the Equality and Diversity Manager as well as educational established in our local area. Our Project Steering Group has local Melcombe Regis Councillors who are regularly updated with process and are able to feedback to their local communities.

The survey was widely promoted in the press and local radio and via our partner organisations as well as in a newsletter to reach a wider public audience. A press release publicised the start of the public consultation and supporting information of the project. Two radio interviews were conducted, and posters were displayed at the station along with forms to complete and return for railway commuters and other people using the station.

The consultation process and website survey were also promoted over social media and partner organisations including Weymouth Town Council, Weymouth BID and the Dorset Coast Forum e-newsletter. A link to the online survey was distributed widely to facilitate easy access to the survey via the hosting website www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk.

Feedback

Through the Public Consultation Report: Project Team Steering Group: Design Team Meetings: Partnership Working: Press Releases: Website and direct dissemination through partners and stakeholders as well as the full report being published on the website and linked to social media. This will also be sent to the wider media.

The main points from the consultation are summarised below:

the overwhelming response to the survey emphasised the desire for improvements and change. The was a strong desire for the station forecourt to be a more welcoming and attractive place that needs to be cleaner and greener as this is a main gateway to the town
as expected, current use was predominantly commuting by train and dropping off/picking up people which is linked to station commuting activities. The results showed many people use the area to access through the beach front and town centre
when asked about improvements, the clear preference was to make the area attractive and welcoming, and addressing safety issues and anti-social behaviour was a key concern. There is also a clear desire for redesigning the car parking and flow of traffic within the station forecourt area. This was followed by sustainable transport links with improved bus network interchange, cycle links and improved pedestrian access
the provision of better information and wayfinding was a key message. The use of public art, heritage and culture to represent the town was another clear outcome from the responses

The project team will use the feedback gathered from the survey to inform the design of the Weymouth Gateway Project. The Weymouth Gateway Project is an infrastructure improvement project for the station forecourt area and while many of the desires can be incorporated into the design, we realize that not all the desires will solely be met by this project. We will pass on any comments that fall outside the scope of this project to the relevant organisations and work collaboratively with them. We will talk to our partners at SWR regarding the train station becoming dementia friendly.

We have set up an Interpretation Group for Wayfinding & Signage. This is to provide the area with information and direction to onward facilities and locations within the town. There is also a desire to provide consistency with what is already in place or planned for the future. This will look at the needs of the community and the different types of users including disabilities in all their forms.

Assessment

Impacts of the strategy

Impacts on who or what	Effect	Details
Age:	Positive	As this is a public place. It covers all community users and visitors to the town in all demographic groups. This project will have a positive impact on children, young people and the elderly with improved pedestrian access, better wayfinding and lighting which should make it less confusing and easier to navigate to and from the station.
Disability: (including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions	Positive	This project enables disabled parking facilities and improved pedestrian access allowing persons with disabilities easier access for mobility scooters. New LED lighting, more information and improved and more accessible signage should assist transit through the station forecourt and the approaches via Pocket Park for other users with physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions. Pocket Park will be turned into a more open and attractive Heritage Park with cycle and pedestrian access. The pedestrian access within the station forecourt will be designed to be safer with visible designated crossings to avoid vehicle movement conflict
Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity	Positive	The safer access and well defined layout on the approaches to the station will be improved. The station building and platforms are outside the scope of this project, however all public comments referring to these areas have been passed onto to SWR which gives them evidence to make improvements
Pregnancy and maternity	Positive	The new and improved pedestrian access should assist persons with pushchairs, prams or buggies to transit through the station in a more efficient and safer way.
Race and Ethnicity:	Neutral	New LED lighting, more information and improved and more accessible signage should assist transit through the station forecourt
Religion or belief: Sexual orientation: Marriage or civil partnership Rural isolation: Single parent families: Armed Forces communities	Neutral	No direct Impact
Sex (consider both men and women):	Positive	The new planned improvements should make it safer for women who maybe travelling alone or at night. This also applies to lone males who may feel vulnerable using the area at certain times
Carers:	Positive	Carers often accompany people who are elderly and/or disabled and improved pedestrian access, wayfinding and lighting will assist this group. The station building and platforms are outside the scope of this project, however all public comments referring to these areas will be passed onto to SWR which gives them evidence to make improvements
Social & economic deprivation	Positive	The area around the station is in a social deprivation area and the proposed improvements are intended to enhance economic activity by increased usage which may have a positive impact on local businesses and improve the well being of persons who live and work in this area

Key to impacts

Positive impact

The proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups

Negative impact

Protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against

Neutral impact

No change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups

Unclear

Not enough data/evidence has been collected to make an informed decision

Action plan

Issue	Action to be taken	Person responsible	Date to be completed by
Age	Access improvements, more open design to cater for all demographics, to improve safety and deter undesirable behaviour	Design Team	December 2020
Disability	Safer access, more pedestrian friendly and parking provision	Design Team	December 2020
Economic Deprivation	More welcoming, sustainable transport links, provision of information, wayfinding and interpretation to encourage usage	Design Team	March 2021
Construction	Liaise with all partners and the local community on the provision of information during the construction process and likely impacts of station users. The timeline will be advertised when confirmed	Dorset Coast Forum	March 2022

People who have agreed this EqIA?

Officer completing this EqIA Steven Booth
Date 25 November 2020

Equality Lead Susan Ward-Rice
Date 11 December 2020

Equality & Diversity Action Group Chair Rick Perry
Date 16 December 2020

Weather disruption