West Dorset MP Chris Loder has challenged the government on accessibility issues at Dorchester South railway station.

On Thursday, March 2, Conservative MP Mr Loder spoke in the House of Commons during transport questions, airing his dissatisfaction with South Western Railway.

He asked Transport Minister Huw Merriman for answers on what benefit the two-year extension of a service contract for South Western Railway by the government will bring to West Dorset.

Mr Loder also pressed the minister for a fully accessible replacement to Dorchester South station's footbridge as part of the new deal.

Mr Loder was assured by the minister that the footbridge forms one of 300 applications currently being assessed for the government's 'Access for All' funding tranche, with the successful projects due to be announced later in the year.

Mr Loder continues to support this bid and had previously written to the minister to urge for it to be passed.

He commented: "I continue to champion Dorchester South station and wider rail links in West Dorset. I have made clear many times in the House of Commons chamber of the need to make our railway stations more accessible.

"We have had major success getting a new access ramp at Dorchester West and my attention is now firmly focused on sorting out Dorchester South."

Following Mr Loder's intervention earlier in the year, the derelict Red Star Parcel building at Dorchester South was demolished and the site cleared as part of a broad package of improvements to the station facilities and car park.