Updated at: 01-Oct-2025 09:58:26: AM
Operator: South Western Railway
Routes affected:
South Western Railway between London Waterloo and Bournemouth / Poole / Weymouth
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Description of Incident
Engineering work is taking place between Bournemouth and Dorchester South, closing all lines. Background information on the work can be found below.
Saturday and Sunday:
Buses will replace trains between:
- Bournemouth and Poole
- Bournemouth and Dorchester South
- Bournemouth and Weymouth
Monday to Friday:
Buses will replace trains between Poole and Dorchester South.
Background information:
Network Rail engineers will be working throughout the 7-day line closure in order to carry out a series of improvement and renewal works along the line, including the following:
- Strengthening a railway embankment in Hamworthy
- Renewing the footbridge at Branksome station
- Improving the drainage in the railway sidings in Poole
- Renewing wheel timbers over the bridge on the River Frome
- Replacing the footbridge at Wool station
This work is being carried out to ensure the reliable and safe running of the railway into the future, and to improve its overall resilience. An article on the work taking place can be found on the Network Rail website.
Check before you travel:
You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner
Replacement bus travel advice:
For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.
You can find the pick-up and set-down location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.
Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.
For the very latest National Rail information click here.
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This page created on: 25-Aug-2025 11:51:14: AM