West Dorset MP Chris Loder is due to meet Network Rail this week – to discuss the state of Dorchester's South station.

Cllr Stella Jones says that it has taken the company a year to do next to nothing about a fallen wall, other than suggest putting up some more fencing.

The ward councillor says the area into the station from Alfred Road remains strewn with litter and gives a bad impression of the town to visitors.

"Local people are very cross about it…it could be such a nice area, a lovely garden, tended by volunteers," she told town councillors.

"I just wish Network Rail would get on with it."

The town council wrote to Network Rail last year about the area and have followed up the letter, but with no firm progress. It asked for the litter to be removed and a plan produced to enhance the area.

"We will keep pressing it. Our experience with Network Rail is that they are not very speedy," said planning and environment committee chairman Cllr Robin Potter.