Rail improvements to impact journeys between Plymouth and Gunnislake

Plans to carry out improvement work to the River Tavy Bridge on the Tamar Valley Line are set to close the railway for four days in December, with a bus replacement service provided to keep people moving.

From Monday 9 to Thursday 12 December, buses will replace trains from Gunnislake, Calstock, Bere Alston and Bere Ferrers to allow Network Rail to refurbish the bridge. Buses will run on two separate routes in order to link stations on the branch line with Plymouth:

• Cornwall bus – Plymouth – Gunnislake – Calstock
• Devon bus – Plymouth – Bere Alston – Bere Ferrers

The work taking place is essential to ensure the continued use of the Tamar Valley Line for years to come.

Great Western Railway is also preparing to change its timetable on the Tamar Valley Line from 15 December, offering better connections and faster journey times from the branch line to key locations.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood thanked passengers in advance for their patience during the work and reminded them of the changes ahead.

He said:

“We are now just a matter of weeks away from the biggest timetable change on the Great Western network since the 1970s, enabling us to take advantage of the full benefits that new or more modern trains and improved track signalling systems are bringing.

“From December 15, in providing more frequent and quicker journeys, our new timetable will for the vast majority of users quite literally mean ‘all change please’ and we encourage those travelling to check their usual journeys beforehand.”

In the new timetable services on the branch line will depart up to half an hour earlier than in the present timetable.

This allows services between Devon and Cornwall and London to be restructured, delivering a more consistent service pattern throughout the day, offering faster typical journey times and more frequent services to key locations from December this year. 

For further travel advice and information on the work please visit GWR.com/Gunnislake.

Dan Parkes, programme manager for Network Rail (Wales and Western) said:

“I would like to thank passengers and residents in advance for their patience while we carry out this vital maintenance work to refurbish the River Tavy Bridge on the Tamar Valley line.

“Refurbishing the bridge will ensure that passengers on the Tamar Valley line will benefit from a reliable and resilient service, with enhanced connections and quicker onward journeys available following the timetable change on 15 December.”

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.