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Wednesday 23 Apr 2025

Plan ahead: Rail journeys to be affected by track upgrade work in Gloucestershire

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

Passengers are being advised to plan journeys in advance as Great Western Railway services will be affected by rail improvement works taking place throughout May in the Gloucester and Cheltenham areas. 

Network Rail will carry out vital track upgrades between Gloucester and Stroud or Yate, affecting trains from Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May, plus the weekend of 10/11 May. 

Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May, plus weekend of 10/11 May 

• Trains will run between London Paddington/Swindon and Stroud on Saturday 3 May and the Bank Holiday Monday (5 May) 

• These services will not run on Sunday 4 May, or the weekend of 10/11 May. 

• Trains will still run between Gloucester and Worcester on all dates 

• CrossCountry trains will use an alternative route between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway – stopping additionally at Gloucester and Newport 

• CrossCountry and Transport for Wales services between Cheltenham Spa/Gloucester and South Wales via Lydney are unaffected 

• Replacement buses are planned between: 

• Gloucester and Stroud (Sat 3 and Mon 5 May) 

• Cheltenham Spa/Gloucester and Swindon (Sun 4 May, plus weekend of 10/11 May) 

• Gloucester and Bristol Parkway (Sat 3, Mon 5 and Sat 10 May) 

• Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads (Sun 4 and Sun 11 May) 

• As an alternative, valid rail tickets can also be used to travel on some local buses 
• No direct train services will operate between Bristol Parkway and South Wales on Saturday 10 May only – customers need to travel via Lydney or to Bristol Temple Meads (for connecting services). Reservations will be required on all services from Bristol Temple Meads.  

Work takes place around the clock during the temporary closures, and includes replacing track near Gloucester; repairs to bridges near Stonehouse and Wickwar tunnel; platform upgrades at Gloucester station, maintenance to points (movable sections of track which allow trains to move from one line to another) and track equipment and compacting ballast (track stone) to ensure the railway remains stable when trains run along it. 

Mark Parker, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said: 

“We’re sorry to close the railway for a short time but we’ll be taking full advantage to get our teams on the track to deliver key maintenance and upgrades. Passengers are advised to check their journeys before travelling as replacement bus services will be in place on some routes and services may be altered. 

“We’ll be working at many different sites and completing as much work as possible to keep the railway in good shape for years to come.” 

Chloe Coglan, Interim Station Manager for Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester, said: 

“This work forms part of an ongoing programme of investment in the railway, helping to ensure we continue to provide consistent and reliable services. 

“It’s really important customers are aware of the changes and plan their journey accordingly – as they are likely to take a little longer than usual.” 

Drainage work will also take place in preparation for the new station to be built at Charfield. The station was closed in 1964 and is proposed to reopen as part of the MetroWest programme of railway improvement in and around Bristol.  

Further work also takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May between Gloucester and Worcester. Maintenance to points and track equipment will take place at Ashchurch and ballast will be compacted in the Worcester area.  

Weekend of 17/18 May 

• Trains will run between London Paddington/Swindon and Gloucester instead of Cheltenham Spa 

• Trains will run between London Paddington and Worcester, Great Malvern or Hereford via Worcestershire Parkway on Saturday 17 May, but these trains will start/terminate at Worcestershire Parkway until around 1700 on Sunday 18 May  

• GWR trains will also run between Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads 

• CrossCountry services will run between Gloucester and Plymouth, plus between Bromsgrove and Birmingham New Street 

• Transport for Wales train services will run between Gloucester and Cardiff Central 

• Replacement buses are planned between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa, Worcester Foregate Street or Birmingham New Street, plus between Cheltenham Spa and Bromsgrove via Worcestershire Parkway 
• Buses are also planned Worcestershire Parkway and Great Malvern (Sunday only) 

CrossCountry regional director Bethan Jelfs said:  

“We’re asking all passengers to check their journeys carefully as some may take a little longer and are grateful for their understanding while Network Rail complete these important works.” 

For the latest information on planned engineering work, visit GWR.com/Upgrade 

ENDS