Somerset's rail services could receive a major boost if two major projects are taken forward as part of a new transport and investment strategy.

The Western Gateway sub-national transport body, which covers large sections of the West Country, has published its draft strategic investment plan for the next ten years, highlighting nearly 40 transport schemes designed to boost the south-west's economic performance.

The plan identifies two schemes which could increase the number of trains serving Somerset's existing stations, making rail transport easier for passengers and ensuring the county is more attractive for investors.

Residents can give their feedback on the draft proposals until February 2, with the final plan expected to be approved by March 31.

The Western Gateway board area covers Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Wiltshire – with the majority of the 38 schemes proposed being designed to boost the fortunes of these four counties.

However, two specific schemes will have a direct impact on rail services within the Somerset Council area, delivering improvements which could drive growth and access to services within both this and the Western Gateway area.

The first scheme would see a passing loop built between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill stations, which lie on the Bristol to Weymouth line (a.k.a. the Heart of Wessex line) currently served by Great Western Railway (GWR).

This loop would allow the "delivery of a one train per hour train service in each direction" – a vast improvement on the current service, where trains range from once per hour to once every three hours depending on the time of day.

Every station on the line would receive hourly services under these plans, except for the halts at Thornford and Chetnole, where trains would stop on alternate hours (as currently occurs at Feniton and Whimple on the Exeter to London Waterloo line).

The second scheme would also see the number of trains between Yeovil Junction and Salisbury doubled – benefiting passengers using Templecombe along with the nearby Dorset stations of Sherborne and Gillingham.

The services on this line (also known as the West of England line) is currently constrained by the long sections of single track, with trains being held in the Tisbury passing loop near the eponymous Wiltshire station.

By implementing "new track infrastructure in the Tisbury area", the punctuality of existing services could be enhanced, with the "opportunity to increase the number of services from one to two trains per hour in each direction."

The investment plan does not commit to a precise time-scale for these schemes, or include a specific costing for any of the projects included – with both of these factors being determined in no small part by the availability of central government funding.

The other schemes for the Western Gateway area include a fourth platform at Westbury railway station (a key interchange in the south west), upgrading the Two Mile Down junction in Warminster (where the A303 meets the A350), and improving the A354 between Dorchester and Weymouth.

Each of the 38 proposed schemes are designed to meet one or more of the following five aims:

• Delivering sustainable economic and housing growth
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Enabling access to services and opportunities all
• Easing freight movements
• Improving transport links between north and south

Councillor Hannah Young, portfolio holder for highways and transport on North Somerset Council (and a member of the Western Gateway board), said: "These transport scheme proposals are designed to address the unique transport challenges we face in our region and will form our recommendations to the government for investment over the next ten years.

"That's why we want to hear from as many residents, businesses, organisations and transport-user groups as possible to tell us if we have identified the right transport priorities for our region, and where investment is most critically needed to deliver a transport system that creates opportunities, boosts productivity and provides a better quality of life for people across the region."

To give your feedback on the plan and the schemes identified therein, visit www.haveyoursaywesterngateway.participatr.io by February 2.