Track renewal work to affect train services this weekend

Rail track renewal work in the Bristol area will affect train services between Bristol and Bath this weekend (Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September).

Network Rail is carrying out essential upgrades to the track east of Bristol Temple Meads station affecting trains to/from Keynsham, Oldfield Park and Bath Spa.

Customers travelling from Bath Spa and Chippenham towards London will be served by an hourly train service; while trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted via Bristol Parkway, not calling at Chippenham or Bath Spa stations. Replacement buses will operate every 20 minutes from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads.

Trains between Portsmouth Harbour and Cardiff Central will be diverted to Swindon instead. Customers can change at Swindon for onward connections to Bristol and South Wales.

Great Western Railway has increased the number of trains it runs as schools and colleges across its network return to the classroom.

Rail services were reduced when a nationwide lockdown was introduced in March, and the rail operator has been implementing a phased return to its previous, full timetable. Train services were last ramped up in July as national travel restrictions eased.

With more people starting to use trains again operators are reminding passengers to:

• plan ahead – travel at quieter times where they can, buy a ticket online and in advance, and book ahead if you need travel assistance
• consider others – wear a face covering unless you’re exempt, don’t travel if you have Covid symptoms and respect each other, not all disabilities can be seen
• stay safe – maintaining your distance wherever possible; wash your hands and carry hand sanitiser, paying contactless where you can

The weekend’s improvement work by Network Rail is part of a major track remodelling scheme for Bristol in 2021 to reduce congestion, increase performance, and to help enable additional train services to be operated in the future.

Further track renewal work is planned between Bristol Temple Meads and Lawrence Hill on the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October.
For more information please visit GWR.com/Bristol.

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.