FAMILIES heading to the seaside by train this Easter will face disruption as the railway will be closed for engineering works.

The timing of the works has been criticised as it will affect visitors heading to the Dorset coast on the Waterloo-Weymouth line as the season gets underway.

The line will be closed between Poole and Wareham throughout the Easter bank holiday weekend from Good Friday to Bank Holiday Monday (April 14-17), as well as the following weekend.

This is to allow engineers to upgrade the railway’s sea defences in Holes Bay, Poole Harbour.

It means travellers catching the train over the two weekends face the hassle of breaking their journey and getting on a bus between Poole and Wareham.

Network Rail says the timing is appropriate as passenger numbers tend to drop by up to 50 per cent over the Easter weekend.

But tourism and leisure spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Cllr Jason Osborne said: “I’m disappointed to hear about these works.

"Weekends such as this are a bumper time for us and for Network Rail to carry out work over Easter makes it difficult for visitors coming by train.

"It’s unfortunate and regrettable, especially as we’re in direct competition with other seaside resorts.”

He added: “I hope people will still make the journey regardless of how disruptive their journey will be.”

The £1 million investment will see Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ repairing key sections of the sea defences at Holes Bay that have been worn away by tidal erosion.

During the two weekends, bus replacement services will be in operation between Poole and Wareham, while a revised train service will operate between Wareham and Weymouth. A revised service between Waterloo and Poole will also operate.

Becky Lumlock, of Network Rail, said: “The work at Holes Bay is a key part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, which is making sure that we continue to provide passengers with a safe, reliable and resilient railway.

“While there’s never a good time to close the railway, bank holiday weekends provide us with an extended period to get significant pieces of work done, such as at Holes Bay, when passenger numbers drop.!

Adam Piddington, of South West Trains, added: “These works are designed to maintain the important sea defences and will help to reduce potential delays caused by severe weather. We would advise our passengers to plan their journeys well ahead and check before they travel.”