Engineering work in the Taunton area will affect rail journeys next week
Rail improvement work will affect all train services through Taunton next week.
Track upgrades by Network Rail means that rail services will not be able to operate between Castle Cary, Taunton and Tiverton Parkway, and between Weston-Super-Mare and Tiverton Parkway.
This work is essential to protect the ongoing safety of the route to and from the south west and involves relaying the tracks and replacing lineside equipment through Taunton station.
These works come the day after a weekend closure in South Devon which will see buses replace trains between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot over the 18 and 19 March.
During this four-day period, buses will replace all train services at Taunton, Bridgwater and Highbridge & Burnham stations.
Trains between London Paddington and the south west will use another route between Castle Cary and Exeter St Davids – not stopping at Taunton or Tiverton Parkway.
Great Western Railway will run trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare, and between Exeter St Davids and Penzance, with only CrossCountry trains running at Tiverton Parkway.
Replacement buses are planned to run on the following routes:
- Bristol Parkway – Taunton/Tiverton Parkway (non-stop)
- Castle Cary – Taunton – Tiverton Parkway
- Weston-super-Mare – Taunton – Exeter St Davids
- Weston-super-Mare – Highbridge & Burnham – Bridgwater – Taunton
For more information, visit GWR.com/Taunton.
Debbie Ferris, GWR’s Station Manager for Taunton, said:
“These rail improvements are part of an ongoing programme of work that will enable us to maintain train services for customers travelling to or from the south west.
“We will be providing alternative road transport to ensure that our customers can still complete their journeys during this period.”
Michael Contopoulos, Network Rail Project Director, commented:
“As ever, we’re grateful for the patience of the travelling public, and of local residents, while this work takes place.
“This is vital maintenance that is needed to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.”
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Notes to editors
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us