Train services between Poole and Dorchester South resumed this morning after engineers completed a series of safety and reliability upgrades across the Dorset section of the line.
Work took place during a week-long closure and included strengthening a stretch of railway embankment in Hamworthy. The upgrade is designed to make the railway more resilient and reduce the chance of future disruption for passengers.
Drainage improvements at the Poole sidings were also carried out, aiming to lower the risk of flooding on this part of the route. Network Rail says these changes support long-term reliability for trains serving local communities.
Wheel timbers on the River Frome bridge near Wool were replaced with modern fibre-reinforced units to extend the life of the structure.
Engineers say the change is intended to give passengers a smoother ride over the bridge and reduce the need for future interventions.
The team also completed improvements to the footbridge at Wool station which will support a better experience for people using the station.
A number of steps were taken to make the work more sustainable. This included using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to fuel the crane at Wool, using artificial timber to avoid tree-felling, reshaping materials away from the river to prevent pollution, and recycling old rail and fastenings from the re-railing work at Morton. Solar panels were used at work sites to increase the use of renewable energy.
Speaking jointly for Network Rail and South Western Railway, George Murrell said the teams appreciated the patience of passengers and residents. He said the railway passes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest and engineers took precautions to ensure wildlife was not affected, adding that the upgrades will lead to smoother and more reliable journeys.
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