Bristol rail improvements to continue from this Saturday

Great Western Railway (GWR) is reminding passengers that trains will not be able to run between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads from this Saturday until Sunday 18 November.

Network Rail is laying new track in the Bristol area for two additional railway lines that will relieve congestion at a major bottleneck on the network.

When complete these additional lines will provide four tracks – two in each direction – between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations from early 2019; and will allow for more frequent and punctual services.

With enabling works having already taken place, contractors now need to lay the track between Lawrence Hill and Filton Abbey Wood stations.

Trains will be unable to operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway, including services towards Severn Beach via Clifton Down and Avonmouth from Saturday 27 October until Sunday 18 November, including weekdays.

Buses will replace trains between the stations affected and Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations will both remain open.

GWR Operations Manager Rob Mullen said:

“I would like to thank customers in advance for their patience during this further period of works. The work to double the tracks in north Bristol will in time allow for more frequent and quicker journeys between Bristol and London, and more punctual services; enabling us to offer the full benefits of new Intercity Express Trains.

“The trains are already operating on routes between London and South Wales and London and Bristol Temple Meads; providing thousands more seats every day than the trains they are replacing.”

Customers travelling towards Bath Spa from South Wales, Bristol Parkway, Cheltenham Spa or Gloucester can travel via Swindon instead of Bristol Temple Meads.

Further work to connect the new track to the existing railway is expected to take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November as well as Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 December.

Network Rail Project Manager Kate Trevorrow said:

“This upgrade will transform rail travel for passengers across Bristol.

“It will enable GWR to run more frequent and quicker services between Bristol and London Paddington providing more seats and better journeys. It will also ease congestion on the network between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway.

“We thank passengers and the communities that live near the railway for their patience whilst we carry out this vital upgrade.”

How will my journey be affected:

• Between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads, services will continue to run, with some minor changes
• Between Portsmouth/Taunton and Cardiff Central, services will run between Portsmouth/Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads. Connecting buses will run to Bristol Parkway for trains towards South Wales
• Between Worcester/Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads, services will divert after Bristol Parkway and will run to Cardiff Central. Change at Bristol Parkway for coaches to Bristol Temple Meads
• Between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach, buses will replace all trains. Please check your bus pick-up point on station posters. Some will be different to normal
• CrossCountry trains will be diverted between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Temple Meads – calling at Swindon and Bath Spa instead of Bristol Parkway

For more details visit GWR.com/Bristol2018

Bath Christmas Market

Bath will hold its annual Christmas market in the city centre from Thursday 22 November until Sunday 9 December.

Bath Spa station will remain open with trains to/from Bristol Temple Meads; London Paddington; Reading; Swindon and Cheltenham and the South West via Bristol Temple Meads. Customers travelling from South Wales and Bristol Parkway will be able to travel via Swindon.

GWR will provide a significant number of additional trains to/from Bath Spa and CrossCountry services will also call additionally at Swindon and Bath Spa during the engineering work.

Trains are however expected to be busy on market weekends, and a queuing system will be in operation at Bath Spa station.

For more details visit GWR.com/BathMarket

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.