Anger has erupted over a surge in rail fare prices on South Western Railway.

The government announced the cost of regulated rail fares will increase by 3.2 per cent next year which means that the average annual cost for commuters travelling to work across Dorset is expected to go up by £100.

Around 40 per cent of fares will rise by this amount in January, including season tickets on most commuter routes and some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys.

Consequently, the fare hike will see annual passes from workers from Weymouth to Bournemouth increase by £100 from £3,156 to £3,256 while the average commute to Poole would go up from £2,868 to £2,959 (up £91) and Dorchester from £860 to £887 (up £27).

Nationwide, Brighton to London commuters were hit hardest with the average price increasing to £4,846 (up £150).

The price of these fares is controlled by the Government which uses the July Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation – announced by the Office for National Statistics – to determine the cap on the annual increase.

Cllr Jeff Cant, leader of

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, called the increases “outrageous”.

He added: “The increases are not justifiable as there hasn’t been an increase in service quality since privatisation.”

Jeremy Varns, co-ordinator of South Western Railway Watch campaign group, said: “In many cases, these fare increases will outstrip wage rises pushing more passengers into transport poverty.

“Many others will struggle to justify using our railways as the gap between the costs of driving vs rail increases yet further.

“Passenger numbers and satisfaction levels are falling on many routes, including those on South Western Railway.

“Transport Secretary Chris Grayling must act now to put the needs of rail users ahead of political dogma and a failed funding policy for our railways.”

Meanwhile, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) dressed as Prime Minister Theresa May and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and took part in a protest over train fares outside King's Cross station in London.

However, Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the railway companies, said: “Fares are underpinning a once-in-a-generation investment plan to improve the railway and politicians effectively determine that season ticket prices should change in line with other day-to-day costs to help fund this.

“While the industry is learning lessons from the recent timetable change, major improvements have been delivered this year and more will be delivered in the next year.”