Billions of pounds are set to be invested to enhance the region’s rail network.

Network Rail will invest £2bn to enhance its services across the Wessex region which covers Dorset as part of its five-year-plan, published this month.

Under the plans, Network Rail will undertake a programme of renewing old Victorian railway bridges and modernising or closing level crossings which will mean a more efficient and safer railway for trains.

Transport bosses said that the work will provide more opportunities for third-party investors in Dorset, which could create and bring forward more projects as well as reduce delays and improve reliability for rail passengers.

Becky Lumlock, route managing director for Network Rail’s Wessex route, said: “This ambitious plan will help us deliver a more reliable service for the millions of people who travel on the route every day.

“Our stretch of railway is one the busiest and most congested in the UK - we’re already running at capacity with 230 million passenger journey a year, and that number is only set to rise.

“This investment will help us meet this growing demand head-on.”

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne, added: “This plan builds on these improvements and sets out how we will make the railway more reliable and cost-efficient and how we accelerate the technological transformation of our railway into the digital age.

“We will continue our strategy to work more closely with train and freight operators, working together in partnership to continue to expand the network for the millions more who will want and need it in the years ahead.

“It is an ambitious, but realistic plan that is not without challenge but with great people working together in great teams, it can deliver a better railway.”

The Office of Rail and Road will review the plan and make a final determination in the autumn.