A sweeping transport blueprint has set out a vision for Dorset's future, with a range of rail, road and public transport projects identified as priorities for investment over the next decade.
The refreshed Strategic Investment Plan published by the Western Gateway Sub-National Transport Body (STB), which brings together eight local authorities across the south west, identifies 53 regionally significant transport projects that could be prioritised for future funding.
Dorset features heavily within the strategy, which argues that improved transport links will be essential to supporting economic growth, housing delivery and connectivity across the county.
Rail improvements form a key part of the strategy, with enhanced services on the Heart of Wessex Line among the highest-priority schemes.
The document says a series of infrastructure enhancements could pave the way for an hourly service on the route, improving connections across Dorset, Somerset and Bristol while increasing reliability and capacity for communities including Dorchester, Maiden Newton and Yetminster.
The project would include a new passing loop between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill, a new platform at Westbury and signalling upgrades. No cost estimate or delivery timeline has yet been set.
Rail bosses have backed proposals to increase services on the line but acknowledged the scheme remains in its early stages.
A spokesperson for Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and Network Rail said: "The proposal is a key part of Network Rail's strategy for the region, providing the opportunity to improve transport for a growing community on the only north-south transport route in the area.
"We are continuing to work with the Western Gateway STB to carry out further economic analysis on the impact and viability of an increase in services on the Heart of Wessex Line."
Among the most significant road proposals is a package of improvements along the A354 corridor between Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland - a route which has been blighted by delays this week.
The strategy describes the route as a key economic artery for south Dorset and proposes junction upgrades, active travel improvements, bus priority measures, enhancements to Weymouth town centre and a mobility hub at the park and ride site.
The aim is to reduce congestion, improve journey times and provide better access to employment sites and regeneration opportunities across Weymouth and Portland.
A programme of improvements is also proposed for the A37 between Dorchester and Yeovil, one of the county's most important north-south roads.
The strategy highlights recurring flooding on sections of the route, which can lead to lengthy diversions and disruption for commuters, businesses and freight traffic.
Proposals focus on improving resilience, reducing the impact of flooding and boosting road safety, helping strengthen links between south Dorset, the A303 and the wider strategic road network.
A proposed package of improvements to tackle congestion in Dorchester has also been identified. However, the report says further work is needed to understand the likely scale and complexity of measures required to support future growth in the town.
Further east, on the A31 near Wimborne, proposals include safety improvements for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as public transport enhancements at key junctions and sections of the route.
The improvements are intended to support planned housing growth while improving connectivity and resilience along one of east Dorset's key transport corridors.
The strategy also includes plans to expand the Port of Poole and reopen the Hamworthy Branch Line to greater freight use, alongside improvements at Bournemouth station and a range of transport projects across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, including a sustainable travel network to connect south east Dorset.
While the projects have been identified as regional priorities, the Strategic Investment Plan does not provide direct funding for any of the schemes. Instead, the £9.7 billion programme acts as a blueprint to help councils, transport operators and government agencies make the case for future investment.
Projects would be delivered by local authorities, transport bodies, Network Rail, National Highways and other partners, with Western Gateway acting as a coordinating body and supporting business case development.
The plans have been backed by Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce president Dominique Manasseri who believes better and more frequent trains between Weymouth and Bristol would "make it easier" for people to travel for work and leisure.
She said: "For businesses, widening the area from which people can realistically commute is increasingly important when recruiting, while for our tourism and hospitality sector good public transport gives visitors another practical alternative to travelling by car."
However, while the strategy prioritises the Heart of Wessex rail route, South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton said long-term improvements were also needed on the Weymouth to London Waterloo line.
He said: "Longer term, it's essential we improve the Waterloo train service.
"I'm working alongside neighbouring MPs to improve the reliability of this service, particularly at the weekend. We are also pushing for faster commuter services and more trains on Sundays.
"We know that improving this service is essential to attracting new investment and backing businesses on our doorstep. So I will keep pushing for much-needed improvements on the Weymouth-London Waterloo line."
Ms Manasseri said she also wanted to see greater attention given to the London service.
She added: "Improving the Heart of Wessex Line should not mean that our eastbound rail connection is overlooked. Businesses, residents and visitors need reliable connections in both directions.
"The Chamber would therefore like to see the reliability, journey times and long-term resilience of the Weymouth to London route remain firmly on the agenda for future investment."
Ms Manasseri said the route suffers from "significant issues" relating to congestion and reliability and welcomed "sensible improvements" that could bring "real economic benefit".
Mr Hatton also welcomed the proposals, describing them as "much-needed", particularly on the A354 where he said improvements would strengthen links between Dorchester and Weymouth.
However, Ms Manasseri stressed that transport investment should not come at the expense of the natural beauty and environment that make Weymouth, Portland and the wider Dorset area so special.
She added: "Our coastline, countryside and landscapes are not only part of our identity, they are also a major part of our tourism economy and quality of life.
"Any new road, rail or transport scheme should therefore be carefully designed to protect our natural environment. We should not damage the very assets that attract people to live, work and visit here in the name of improving access to them.
"Economic growth and better connectivity are important, but they need to be achieved responsibly and sustainably."
Both Ms Manasseri and Mr Hatton also backed plans to enhance Weymouth's park and ride facilities, saying they would support the town centre and hospitality sector while helping to ease congestion.
Ms Manasseri said improved facilities could help the town, particularly during the summer when Weymouth experiences considerable pressure from visitor traffic.
But she warned that any scheme would need to be designed around how residents, visitors and businesses actually travel, adding that success should be judged on whether journeys become "easier, more reliable and more convenient".
Ms Manasseri also pointed to wider issues around rural transport, with many businesses in Weymouth and Portland employing people who live outside the immediate urban area.
She said limited public transport can make recruitment "more difficult", particularly in hospitality and other sectors where employees may need to travel early in the morning or late in the evening.
She added: "Better connections between our surrounding communities, employment areas and town centres would therefore be very welcome."
Mr Hatton said he was encouraged to see south Dorset's priorities reflected in the strategy but stressed that securing funding would be the next challenge.
He added: "I believe our priorities are well represented in these proposals, but I will keep pressing to make sure that this translates into investment and real improvements reaching south Dorset."
Ms Manasseri said that while the plan was an "important step", businesses would ultimately want to see investment translated into deliverable schemes and measurable improvements.
She added: "Weymouth and Portland have considerable potential for further growth across tourism, hospitality, maritime industries, engineering and other sectors. Good transport infrastructure is fundamental to unlocking that potential.
"We therefore believe there is a strong case for national government investment in improving connectivity to this part of Dorset.
"Greater reliability and resilience on the A354, improved rail frequency and capacity towards Bristol, a strong and reliable rail connection towards London, and better public transport connections between our communities and major employment areas should all form part of that conversation.
"For Weymouth and Portland, transport investment should not simply be about getting people through the area more quickly. It should be about making it easier to live here, work here, invest here and visit here, while protecting the environment and natural beauty that make our part of Dorset such a special place."
Dorset Council said the plans "set out a long-term vision for transport across the region" that "could be considered for future investment" but remain at an "early-stage".
They added the long-term proposals are intended to support discussions with government and other partners about future transport priorities.
The council stressed that inclusion in the report "does not mean a scheme has funding in place, an agreed timetable for delivery, or a commitment to proceed" but "simply ensures Dorset's transport needs and opportunities are recognised in regional and national discussions about future investment".
A council spokesperson added: "The proposals reflect a range of transport challenges and ambitions across Dorset, including improving connectivity, supporting economic growth, increasing access to jobs and services, and providing more travel choices for residents, businesses and visitors.
"It simply ensures Dorset’s transport needs and opportunities are properly recognised in regional and national discussions about future investment, including those relating to a devolved Wessex region."
Share