Heart of Wessex line improvements: Buses replace trains between Castle Cary and Weymouth from Monday 23 to Sunday 29 September 

Route(s) affected

Between Gloucester / Bristol Temple Meads / Westbury and Weymouth

Description

Engineering work is taking place between Castle Cary and Dorchester West, closing all lines. Please see below for project Background Information.

As a result, train services between Gloucester / Bristol Temple Meads / Westbury and Weymouth will start / terminate at Castle Cary.

Replacement bus services will run between Castle Cary and Weymouth, calling at all stations.

Additionally, the following Monday to Friday services are affected:

• The 06:18 Yeovil Pen Mill to Filton Abbey Wood will start at Castle Cary. An earlier replacement bus service will depart Yeovil Pen Mill at 06:00.

• The 07:33 Weymouth to Gloucester will start at Westbury.

• The 16:10 Gloucester to Weymouth service will terminate at Frome.

• (Monday - Thursday only) The 21:28 Weymouth to Westbury service will start at Castle Cary. A replacement bus service will run between Weymouth and Castle Cary.

Great Western Railway are advising that, as an alternative, customers with a valid ticket can travel to and from Weymouth using South Western Railway services via Southampton Central from Monday 23 to Friday 27 September only (buses will replace all train services via Southampton Central on the weekend of 28 and 29 September).

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 this page.

You can find the location of your bus replacement by checking station signs or by searching for your station on our station information pages.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.

Background Information:

These Network Rail planned works include replacing just under a mile of track between Thornford and Yeovil Pen Mill. Engineers will also be working on the junction south of Maiden Newton station, where the two tracks merge into one.

The existing track is over 50 years old and prone to faults that can cause disruption and delays. The brand-new track will make for smoother, more comfortable and reliable journeys.

Full details on the Heart of Wessex line improvements being made is available on the Network Rail website.