Faster services could soon be coming to rail services across Dorset, following a pledge from Network Rail.

South Western Railway services operating between Weymouth and London Waterloo could become more faster and more frequent under a “game-changing” £20 billion digital signalling blueprint being drawn up by rail bosses.

Network Rail’s chief executive Mark Carne called the project “the biggest change programme on the British railways since it went from steam to diesel” saying it will allow for more advanced technology which will improve travelling conditions for passengers who often face delays and longer journeys including in Dorset.

The roll-out of electronic signalling — the European Train Control System (ETCS) — could help boost capacity on well used long term commuter routes by upto 30 per cent.

Currently, signals are controlled are controlled by Victorian signal boxes and much of the cabling for the signal system is alongside the track, exposed to the weather and damage by rats.

However under the new ETCS system, these will be replaced by receivers that “talk” to computers in the driver’s cab.

This will mean that around half the train fleet is due to be replaced and 3,000 extra carriages introduced with calling for the new trains to be built with in-cab signalling systems installed.

Mr Carne, said: “The only thing we can do now to increase capacity is run more trains, and the only way we can do that is to overhaul the signalling."

He added that Network Rail and the industry has done all it can to boost capacity and is calling on the Government and private sector to help fund the signalling upgrade.

Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “We are making the biggest investment in the railways since Victorian times and this includes investment for integrating digital technology on our railways.

"This technology has huge potential to improve journeys for passengers and to boost our freight industry by cutting delays and increasing the number of services.”

About two-thirds of the UK's current lineside signalling system is due to be replaced or modernised over the next 15 years, with much of the spending concentrated across the South Western Railway network.

The plans is expected to be implemented later this year.