Media centre

Tuesday 27 Apr 2021

Network Rail carrying out safety improvement work in Gloucestershire this weekend

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Western

Network Rail is reminding passengers and road users of essential safety improvement work taking place at Oldends Lane level crossing in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Network Rail has been working at the level crossing to replace the existing CCTV and install new telecoms equipment.

On Saturday (1 May), the crossing will be closed to all pedestrians and vehicles between 7.30am and 8.30pm to enable the work to be completed safely. Vehicles will be diverted via Bristol Road (A419) and Bath Road/High Street (B4008). When the road reopens, work will continue through the night to test the new equipment.

As a result of this work alongside other track maintenance work over the bank holiday weekend, trains to and from the Gloucester area may be diverted or replaced by buses, from 1-3 May inclusive.

GWR trains will operate between London Paddington and Swindon, where buses will replace trains to Gloucester. Trains will run between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa.

Rail replacement services for Stonehouse will call at the bus stops by the Town Council building on Bath Road, which is a five-minute walk from the railway station.

Network Rail is reminding those planning to travel by train over the Early May Bank Holiday to plan ahead and continue to follow Government guidance around the use of public transport.

Network Rail project manager, Spencer Hobbs, said: “We’d like to thank our passengers and the local community for their patience while we carry out this essential work and apologise for any disruption.

“We encourage passengers to plan ahead, minimise journeys where possible and travel when it is quieter during this Early May Bank Holiday weekend.”

GWR Station Manager for Gloucester, Chris Rule, said: “We have been providing rail services throughout the pandemic and have worked to ensure 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.  

“If you are travelling over the weekend please do plan your journey in advance.”

For more details, please visit networkrail.co.uk/stonehouse