Friday 18 Aug 2023
Network Rail will carry out essential maintenance to make journeys more reliable in Kemble, Gloucestershire, from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 August
- Region & Route:
- Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
Services between Swindon and Gloucester will be affected with no direct services between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa.
Work will take place from 07:00 to 19:00 (7am - 7pm) each day between Kemble and Sapperton to cut back overgrown vegetation near the railway and improve drainage to ensure trains can run smoothly for years to come.
GWR will be operating rail replacement bus services to Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse as there will be no trains stopping at these stations. Passengers can still travel to Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa by train via Bristol Parkway.
Passengers are urged to check before they travel at https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/check-your-journey
Network Rail were due to replace track and ballast near Stroud over these four days, but this work has been postponed as dormice were found in the area.
It is currently dormice breeding season which means they cannot be disturbed as they are covered by a protected species licence in the area. Network Rail are committed to protecting and maintaining the natural environment and habitats so have instead decided to carry out less disruptive work.
Jonathan Skirton, Network Rail infrastructure manager, said: “Our teams need to maintain vegetation and drainage near to the railway to reduce flood risk and keep the tracks safe.
“We’re sorry for the disruption to passengers but this work will ensure journeys are more reliable for years to come.”
Ben Scott, GWR’s Station Manager for South Cotswolds, added: “This work is part of an ongoing programme that will enable us to maintain services for customers travelling to or from Gloucestershire.
“We’ll provide alternative road transport and work with other train companies to ensure customers can still complete their journeys during this time.”
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