Work to protect landslips between Yeovil and Weymouth to begin
Essential rail work will close part of the Heart of Wessex Line
Buses will substitute trains between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth for 10 days in 2024 due to engineering works on the Heart of Wessex Line.
From 28th February to 8th March, rail replacement buses will operate, servicing all stops between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West before continuing to Weymouth.
However, the buses will not stop at Upwey, requiring passengers to use South Western Railway services from Weymouth.
Engineering projects on the Heart of Wessex Line
During the bus replacement period, Network Rail will strengthen embankments between Chetnole and Maiden Newton, particularly near Evershot Tunnel.
Engineers will cut through soil and rock using soil nails and netting to stabilise the slope, protecting the railway from landslips.
Additional tasks include stress-testing continuous welded rail for improved reliability, particularly to reduce speed restrictions during peak temperatures.
Minor track improvements near Thornford will address issues following track renewal conducted in September 2024.
Vegetation management work will also take place, involving the removal of selected dead, dying, and diseased trees that could delay train operations.
Network Rail and Great Western Railway statements
Tom McNamee, Network Rail's Infrastructure Director, emphasised the investment’s importance in enhancing service reliability for rural communities.
“Replacement road transport will be operating during this period between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth stations,” Jordan Welsby, Great Western Railway’s Station Manager said.
South Western Railway trains will continue to run between Weymouth, London Waterloo, Yeovil Junction, and Salisbury, but Yeovil Pen Mill will experience reduced parking.
Passengers should anticipate longer journey times due to these modifications and are encouraged to plan ahead.
Previous improvements began in February 2020 with Network Rail overseeing track renewals, bridge replacements, and essential maintenance along the Heart of Wessex Line.
You can learn more about these improvements here.