Rail improvements to impact journeys on the Cotswolds Line
Plans to carry out track improvement, and bridge refurbishment, work will see the railway line between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Shrub Hill closed for seven days from this weekend.
Completion of this work will ensure the continued use of the railway line for years ahead by renewing infrastructure that is nearing the end of its design life.
From Saturday 29 May to Friday 4 June, buses will replace trains between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Foregate Street. Buses will be timed to connect with trains which will continue to run between London Paddington and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Buses will also replace trains between Gloucester and Worcester Foregate Street on the weekend of 29/30 May while Network Rail renew the tracks in the Worcester Shrub Hill area.
GWR Station Manager for the Cotswolds Line, Billy White, thanked passengers in advance for their patience and reminded them of the changes ahead which these improvement works are helping to bring.
Billy said:
“This work is important to ensure we can continue to provide services on what is a vital rail link for the Cotswolds area and we thank customers for their patience in advance.
“We have been working hard to make sure that people can be confident to travel safely, and that includes running as many trains and carriages as we can to make extra room, and replacement buses where trains cannot operate, as well as enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures.”
Where buses replace trains, journeys will be extended by up to 80 minutes. Alternative routes into London through Gloucester (weekdays only) and Birmingham will remain open for passengers who may prefer to complete their journey by train.
GWR has been providing rail services throughout the pandemic and has worked to ensure that these are as safe as possible. This includes increased cleaning regimes and the use of a virucidal spray; extra staff at key stations to offer help and guidance; and processes in place to help customers maintain a safe distance where possible, such as restricting the number of reservations available.
For further travel advice and information on the work please visit GWR.com/Cotswolds.
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.