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Friday 11 Aug 2023

Essential upgrades set to begin on Henley branch line

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Buses will replace trains for four days, from Monday 14 August, on the line between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames, as Network Rail carries out vital track improvements. 

Work takes place around the clock from 12.30am on Monday 14 August to 5.30am on Friday 18 August to renew track, protecting local services for at least the next decade. 

During the work, Great Western Railway (GWR) train services between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames will be unable to run. 

The branch line is a single-line railway, meaning work is more challenging than a double-line railway, so Network Rail will use a unique piece of equipment – a single-line excavation machine – to remove track and ballast that has reached the end of its working life. 

356 yards of track and 1,200 tonnes of ballast will be replaced between Wargrave and Shiplake to improve the reliability of the line and keep trains running for years to come. 

To help keep passengers moving, replacement buses will be in operation from Monday 14 to Thursday 17 August. Train services will resume on completion of the works on Friday 18 August. 

As the road network is different to the route the train takes, buses will run between Twyford and Shiplake, also stopping at Wargrave and Henley-on-Thames. Journey times will be extended and buses will depart at different times to normal trains. 

The level crossing at Shiplake will also be closed during the work. A diversion is in place to allow resident and emergency vehicle access. 

Mark Parker, Network Rail project manager, said: “This vital work will ensure the continued smooth running of trains on the Henley branch line and improve the reliability of services. 

“Without another rail to bring our equipment in, we’ll use a single-line excavation machine to help us work in this challenging area. 

“We apologise for the disruption for passengers and those living near the railway and we’ll be working round the clock to complete our work as quickly as possible.” 

Alison Hanscomb, GWR regional station manager, said: “These works are an essential part of keeping the railway in good condition for the years to come but we understand the consequences this will have on our customer’s journeys and we thank them for their patience during this time. 

“Buses will replace Great Western Railway trains along the Henley branch while Network Rail carry out these works, and we encourage passengers to check their journey beforehand.”