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Wednesday 23 Oct 2024

Crucial engineering work in the Bath area affects rail journeys this autumn

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Passengers travelling between Bristol and Bath, and on towards Westbury are reminded to check before they travel during the autumn half term break.

From Sunday 27 to Thursday 31 October, Network Rail is completing essential maintenance, including:

• Railway bridge repairs at Limpley Stoke
• Track replacement through St Anne’s Tunnel

Railway bridge repairs at Limpley Stoke require closure of the B3108 Winsley Hill and Lower Stoke Road with its junction with the A36:

• 9pm – 6am each night from Monday 21 October to Friday 25 October
• Continuous closure from 2pm on Saturday 26 October until 2am on Monday 28 October
• 10pm – 6am on Saturday 2 November and Saturday 9 November

Rail passengers will be affected by these works as follows:

Sunday 27 October:

• No train services between Bath Spa and Westbury
• Trains will still run between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads or Cardiff Central, plus between Westbury and Portsmouth Harbour or Weymouth
• Replacement buses are planned between Bath Spa and Bradford-on-Avon or Westbury

Monday 28 to Thursday 31 October:

• No train services between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads (including Keynsham and Oldfield Park)
• Trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will use an alternative route – not stopping at Chippenham or Bath Spa
• A reduced train service will operate between London Paddington and Bath Spa via Chippenham
• Trains will run between Cardiff Central or Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads, between Bath Spa and Portsmouth Harbour, plus between Westbury and Weymouth
• Replacement buses are planned between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads
• Customers can also use local bus services instead between Bath and Bristol

Motorists travelling between Bristol and Bath are also being warned to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys during this period, with essential gas works taking place near the A4 Globe roundabout 25 Oct – 3 Nov.

While no road closures are needed, the A4 Globe Roundabout will be controlled by temporary signals, with long delays expected. Other major routes that may be used as alternatives by road users are being kept clear of works,

Lead portfolio manager for Network Rail, Mark Parker, said: “We’re grateful for people’s patience during this period, while we work on the railway.

“It’s vital that these renewals and repairs are completed as they’re essential maintenance to allow the continued safe and reliable running of train services on this busy route.”

Oana Apetroaie, GWR station manager for Bath Spa and Chippenham, said: “This improvement work forms part of an ongoing programme of maintenance, helping to ensure we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services.

“GWR will provide rail replacement services between Bath Spa and Bradford-on-Avon or Westbury on Sunday 27 October.

“We will then have replacement buses in place between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads from Monday 28 until Thursday 31 October.

“However, please note that rail replacement services for Oldfield Park and Keynsham cannot stop immediately outside those stations.

“As an alternative, customers can also use their ticket to travel between Bath and Oldfield Park, Keynsham or Bristol on local buses.

“It’s important customers understand these alternative arrangements will make their normal journey times longer, so do plan ahead.”

Looking ahead

From Friday 27 December to Thursday 23 January inclusive, the railway through Westbury, as well as between Westbury and Salisbury, Wiltshire, will be closed to enable track upgrades close to Westbury station and maintenance of the Sherrington viaduct. Trains will be diverted or replaced by buses.

For the latest information, visit GWR.com/Upgrade or nationalrail.co.uk