One mile of old track will be replaced by Network Rail engineers between Maiden Newton and Chetnole in Cattistock.

The work on the Wessex line means that a section of the railway will be closed from Saturday 24th September to Friday 30th September. Trains between Weymouth and Dorchester South and beyond will be running as normal.

The reason for updating the track is due to the track type, meaning that there are speed restrictions in hot weather causing multiple delays. The upgrade will avoid this issue and increase the reliability of the services.

Alongside the track upgrades, work to maintain the signalling at Yeovil Pen Mill signal box, resurfacing of the platform at Yetminster will be completed. There will also be repair work to the steelwork at Damers Bridge Road bridge. Buses will replace services between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth.

Passengers should check before they travel and should also be aware of the secondary closure from the 30th September to the 12th October between Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary for a bridge replacement.

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “I’m really pleased our upgrade of the Heart of Wessex line is continuing and although we are taking a full week to do the work, it will result in much less disruption for passengers overall. That’s not just because doing the work this way means we’re avoiding having to close the railway over many more weekends, but because the new track will be much more reliable too.

“The old-style track isn’t good at coping with high temperatures as it expands so much in the heat and it means we have to put severe speed restrictions in place, delaying passengers.

“The new track is part of an upgrade that will allow us to continue serving passengers on this line during hot weather conditions. Further work is due for completion in February and March next year, ready for the summer.”