Network Rail has announced that they have completed improvements on the Heart of Wessex line.

The work included the renewal of a bridge at Yetminster and strengthening of a tunnel near Dorchester.

During a six-day line closure on the Weymouth to Bristol line between February 15 and 21, engineers and contractors from Osborne replaced the deck of a 129-year-old bridge that crosses the River Wriggle.

Despite wind and rain from Storm Dennis, the work was completed on time on Friday 21st February 2020.

The first passenger train following the line’s re-opening, a Great Western Railway train, from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads, passed at 7:16 am on Saturday 22nd February.

Down the line in Dorchester, engineers completed major maintenance work at Grimstone tunnel. The 1857 tunnel was reinforced using concrete over-spraying.

There are two further weekends of improvements planned for follow up work at Yetminster river bridge (Saturday 29th February – Sunday 1st March), before renewing track at Chetnole and between Dorchester West and Weymouth (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29th March).

What did the officials say?

Mark Killick, route director for Network Rail Wessex, said:

“I know the teams in Yetminster and Dorchester have worked tirelessly for months to plan this work, and they then faced the challenges of Storm Dennis head-on.

“My thanks go to everyone involved in the project, which demonstrates the importance of working with our partners to deliver a more reliable railway that will give better journeys to our passengers.

“I would also like to thank passengers and residents living close to the railway for their patience while we have been working.”

GWR Project Manager Alastair Hutton also thanked customers for their patience during the works:

“The Heart of Wessex line is an important route for customers travelling to or from Weymouth.

“This line upgrade programme will help ensure the ongoing reliability and performance of train services along that section of the railway.”

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