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Thursday 29 Jan 2026

ONE MONTH TO GO: Network Rail engineers to carry out embankment works as part of upgrading the railway in Dorset

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Buses will be replacing trains between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth on the Heart of Wessex Line between 28 February and 8 March.

A rail replacement bus service will run, calling at all stations between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West before continuing to Weymouth. Buses are unable to stop at Upwey so passengers will need to use South Western Railway train services from Weymouth.

During this time, Network Rail engineers will be working to strengthen the embankments between Chetnole and Maiden Newton around the Evershot Tunnel. To do this, the team will be cutting through soil and rock to stabilise the slope by using soil nails and netting.

This work will protect the railway from landslips, which could cause longer closures as well as posing safety risks to our passengers.

Engineers will be taking advantage of the closure to:

• Stress test the continuous welded rail to improve reliability, reducing the need for speed restrictions in hotter months
• Carry out minor improvements to the track in the Thornford area following recent track renewal in September 2024
• Carefully manage vegetation by selecting dead, dying and diseased trees that could cause delays to the running of trains between Chetnole and Maiden Newton stations

Tom McNamee, Infrastructure Director for Network Rail, said: “This latest investment in the Heart of Wessex Line will give our passengers a stronger and more reliable railway. Over the last few years, we have been investing in the Heart of Wessex Line to improve services in the rural communities this route serves. Please plan ahead, check before you travel, and allow more time for your journeys to be completed while we carry out these vital improvement works.”

Jordan Welsby, Great Western Railway’s Station Manager for the Heart of Wessex region, said: “Replacement road transport will be operating during this period between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth stations. South Western Railway trains still run between Weymouth and London Waterloo, or between Yeovil Junction and Salisbury or London Waterloo. Please note during there will be reduced parking available at Yeovil Pen Mill station due to the rail replacement operation. It’s important customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements will make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead. For the latest information, visit GWR.com/Upgrade”

Since February 2020, Network Rail has been carrying out improvements on the Heart of Wessex Line. We’ve been renewing key stretches of track, replacing bridges and carrying out essential maintenance at our stations. More information on this programme can be found here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/our-routes/wessex/heart-of-the-wessex-line-upgrades/