Engineers will be strengthening a railway embankment in Hamworthy and improving drainage at the Poole sidings to help protect the railway from flooding and improve long-term reliability
Customers travelling in Dorset are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time to complete their journeys as buses replace trains between Saturday 15 and Friday 21 November 2025, while Network Rail engineers carry out essential maintenance and upgrades to the railway.
During this period, engineers will strengthen a railway embankment in Hamworthy and improve drainage at the Poole sidings to help protect the railway from flooding and improve long-term reliability.
Further west, work will take place to renew the wheel timbers—the long blocks that support the tracks—on the River Frome bridge near Wool. These will be replaced with modern Fibre-reinforced Foamed Urethane (FFU) alternatives, extending the life of the structure. Engineers will also complete footbridge improvements at Wool station.
Changes to train services
- Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November 2025: Buses replace trains between Bournemouth and Dorchester South
- Monday 17 to Friday 21 November 2025: Buses replace trains between Poole and Dorchester South
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director, said: “We’re sorry for the disruption to passengers while we carry out this work, but it’s essential to keep services running safely and reliably. Our teams will be working around the clock to strengthen key parts of the railway and improve drainage in the area, helping to make the line more resilient in the years ahead.”
Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with South Western Railway.
Further information about the works being carried out can be found here: Bournemouth to Dorchester Line Renewals – Network Rail
Image credit: Network Rail
