TRAINS on the Weymouth-Waterloo line will be "severely impacted" over the Christmas and new year period due to major engineering works lasting three weeks.

It will mean a headache for those wishing to visit friends and family over the festive period and those travelling to celebrate the new year as South Western Railway times will be different and journeys extended. 

Network Rail says 'vital work' in the Woking area will affect the South West Main Line - which includes trains to Dorchester South and Weymouth.

The work will also affect West of England Line services between London and Exeter which goes via Sherborne and Axminster.

Passengers are encouraged to check before travelling and plan journeys in advance.

Engineers will be working to upgrade the line between Basingstoke and Woking between Sunday, December 15 and Sunday, January 5.

For Dorset passengers it means trains to and from London, for some days over the period - including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - will be diverted through Hampshire and Surrey, extending the journey to and from the capital by about 45 minutes.

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “We’re urging passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel over the festive period while we carry out these essential improvements to the railway.

“We know there is never a good time to close the railway however the festive period presents us with an opportune time to complete more complex upgrades such as these as we know there are fewer passengers travelling and that the railway is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

“I like to thank passengers in advance for their patience and understanding while we complete this work.”

Dates to note if travelling

Sunday, December 15:

London Waterloo to Weymouth services will divert via Guildford, Havant and Fareham.

London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will start at Basingstoke.

Buses replace trains between Woking and Basingstoke.

Sunday 22 December:

Normal timetabled service.

Monday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 24:

London Waterloo to Weymouth services will divert via Guildford, Havant and Fareham.

London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will start at Basingstoke.

A fast bus will replace express trains between Woking and Basingstoke.

Wednesday 25 December and Thursday 26 December (Christmas Day and Boxing Day):

No trains will run all day (as is usual).

Friday 27 December to Friday 3 January:

London Waterloo to Weymouth services will divert via Guildford, Havant and Fareham.

London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will start at Basingstoke.

A fast bus will replace express trains between Woking and Basingstoke. 

Saturday, January 4: 

London Waterloo to Weymouth services will divert via Guildford, Havant and Fareham.

London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will start at Basingstoke.

A fast bus will replace express trains between Woking and Basingstoke. 

Sunday 5 January:

London Waterloo to Weymouth services will take a diversionary route between Clapham Junction and Southampton Central and will call at Guildford, Havant and Fareham.

London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids services will start from Andover.

Buses replace trains between Woking, Guildford, Basingstoke and Andover. 

For the full details see www.southwesternrailway.com/woking-christmas