RAIL passengers are warned part of the Weymouth to Bristol line is closed this week as sections of track which are more than 60 years old are replaced.

From today to Friday, October 20 buses will replace Great Western Railway (GWR) trains between Weymouth, Dorchester West and Yeovil Pen Mill.

This is the second stage of major engineering work on the ‘Heart of Wessex’ line this year by Network Rail in a bid to ensure “smoother and more reliable journeys” on the route.

GWR said buses will be provided between Weymouth, Dorchester West and Yeovil throughout the week. Passengers can also use tickets on South Western Railway (Weymouth-Waterloo line) services.

Engineers will be working around the clock during a five-day closure of the railway to replace around 758 metres of outdated 1950s track between Maiden Newton and Chetnole.

The old-style track needs to be renewed and brought up to modern standards to help reduce the number of speed restrictions that are put in place during warmer weather, helping ensure customers enjoy smoother and more reliable journeys in the future.

Alongside this, engineers will also be erecting scaffolding at Evershot tunnel to repair and repoint the brickwork.

This latest work follows upgrades completed between February and March in which engineers completed two back-to-back five-day closures between Weymouth, Yeovil and Castle Cary.

Oliver Frost, Network Rail project director, said: “This is an important stretch of railway and over the last three years we’ve invested a significant amount to bring smoother and more reliable journeys.

“I’d like to thank customers and nearby residents in advance for their patience and understanding while we complete this work.”