RAIL passengers are being reminded about engineering work taking place this week between Bournemouth and the New Forest.

Trains between London Waterloo and Weymouth will run as far as Brockenhurst or New Milton due to essential maintenance to two viaducts at Christchurch.

Trains will not return to normal until Monday, January 4, it is expected.

Until Friday, passengers should change at Southampton Airport Parkway for buses to Bournemouth.

Additional trains will run between Bournemouth and Weymouth.

Buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway/Southampton Central/Brockenhurst/New Milton and Bournemouth.

The work is likely to affect Cherries supporters travelling by train to the AFC Bournemouth game at Arsenal later today.

On Saturday, January 2 and Sunday, January 3, buses will run between Bournemouth and Southampton.

The bridges, which carry the high-speed line over the rivers Avon and Stour, are near Christchurch station.

Proposed improvements will enable the current speed limit between Hinton Admiral and Christchurch to be lifted, allowing trains to travel at a top speed of 60mph.

Previously, project manager, Michele Swan, said: “Speed restrictions were introduced as both these viaducts are around 130 years old and there were concerns that trains travelling a full speed could damage the track support system.

“This essential maintenance work will not only allow us to lift that restriction but will also extend the lifespan of these historic structures.”

Go to southwesttrains.co.uk for more information or nationalrail.co.uk