Charmouth Tunnel rifle range on target (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Charmouth Tunnel rifle range on target

11:46am Thursday 5th November 2009

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THE new rifle range in the redundant Charmouth Tunnel is expected to be open early next year providing training facilities for the 2012 London Olympics.

Building work totalling ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ is well underway to transform the old road tunnel into a world-class facility, for both national and community use.

The Target Sports Centre is designed to enable individuals and groups to participate in both shooting and archery in a controlled environment.

The Grade II-Listed tunnel has been redundant since the Charmouth bypass was built in 1991 and was bought by Clist Properties in 2005.

Owner Richard Clist said: “The project will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and there is no question that it’s worth that.

“We think it is a brave move to try and establish a new business in the middle of a recession – perhaps it’s madness. But we would hope if we can make it work now, it will be even better when the recession starts receding.

“We would love to think it will be used for the purpose of training facilities in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.”

Mr Clist said the rifle range would also be open to the local community and to both able-bodied and disabled users.

“It’s a community facility that can be used by all,” said Mr Clist. “It hasn’t got to be just keen shooters. Maybe it could be a special 60th birthday present, or used for different sorts of functions and corporate events.

“We had Charmouth Cubs and Scouts here last week and the children were able to enjoy archery within a controlled environment.

The project has won the backing of Bridport Shooting Club, which is expected to use the facility regularly, and Bisley, the governing body for shooting in the United Kingdom, which has also assisted in the design.

Mr Clist said Disability Target Shooting Great Britain is also due to assess the facilities.

The scheme initially came under fire locally, with nearby residents concerned about the noise impact and the dangers of bringing guns into the area.

Mr Clist said: “I think there were some very valid comments and issues raised by local individuals and I hope we have addressed those concerns. “There was an issue with noise but our assessment and sound tests show there are no sound issues whatsoever. The security arrangements have been dealt with by Dorset Police, so security will be at the highest level.”

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