Passengers using the railway in Bournemouth, Dorset, will need to use replacement buses for parts of February and March 2026 as essential track and signalling work takes place. South Western Railway and Network Rail have confirmed lines will be closed on parts of the route serving Bournemouth, Poole and Brockenhurst to allow for safety upgrades and embankment and drainage work.
The biggest disruption is expected between February 9 and February 15, 2026, when the line will be fully closed for one week. Following this period, weekend closures and evening changes will continue to affect the route until March 8, 2026. Trains are expected to be terminated at Brockenhurst or Southampton Central during the closures and replacement coaches will be used, so journeys toward London Waterloo or Southampton are likely to take significantly longer than usual.
SWR warns that a nationwide shortage of bus and coach drivers may lead to occasional gaps in the rail replacement service. The operator says it has booked replacement coaches but cannot guarantee a driver will be available for every vehicle on every day; passengers are encouraged to check JourneyCheck before leaving home to see if their specific journey is affected.
Strict rules will be in place for those carrying heavy bags or travelling with children. South Western Railway says prams and pushchairs that do not fold, cycles, animals (other than assistance dogs) and bulky luggage may not be carried on replacement coaches; not all replacement vehicles are wheelchair-accessible. The operator advises passengers needing assistance to book in advance — SWR’s Assisted Travel guidance recommends booking ahead (it advises booking as much in advance as possible and suggests at least two hours before travel, with a 24/7 Assisted Travel helpline available) so appropriate accessible transport can be arranged.
These works are part of a wider programme by Network Rail and train operators to improve the reliability of services in Dorset. Engineers will replace life-expired signalling equipment, strengthen embankments and carry out drainage and slope-stabilisation work to reduce the risk of landslips and future track problems.
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