A TRANSFORMATION of Dorset’s rail links which will make it easier to get to Exeter, Bristol and London is being laid on the line.

Campaigners in the county have been pressing for greater connectivity for some time, arguing that it takes longer to get to London from Weymouth than it does from northern cities and criticising a lack of services between Dorset and the west.

Now, the South West Trains-Network Alliance has announced plans for extra trains and better links between Weymouth, Dorchester, Exeter, Westbury, Bath, Bristol and London.

Part of the plan is to run regular trains on a rarely-used line between Yeovil Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction. Previously there has been no connecting service between the stations, meaning commuters would have to alight at one station and make their own way to the other for onward services.

Additionally, an extra 1,000 seats will be provided a day with the laying on of eight extra services between London and Yeovil, and, for the first time ever, there will be a link between Bruton, Frome and Waterloo.

Tim Shoveller, chief executive of the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: “These are exciting and innovative proposals that would provide a greatly improved service for thousands of passengers in Somerset, Dorset and Devon and could also create brand new links to London for many communities.

“The new services are designed to provide new opportunities for work, leisure and business and would deliver a huge boost to the region’s economy.

“We’ve had some great initial feedback on our ideas and we’re now urging the local communities and businesses to have their say and let us have their feedback on these new proposals.”

The timetable changes proposed could be introduced as early as December this year if regulatory approval is given. Green parliamentary candidate Jane Burnet, who has been calling for better transport links, welcomed the changes.