Major works will disrupt journeys
Network Rail have issued a statement about the disruption
June has arrived and with it comes a reminder to check if your next train journey is affected by continued rail works.
Whether you’re using the train for your daily commute, have travel plans or are heading to an airport, your journey could be completely disrupted.
Passengers need to plan ahead this June as Network Rail will begin two-week-long works to replace a track in the Filton and Stoke Gifford areas.
Beginning on Monday, June 9, right up until Friday, June 20, and again on Sunday, June 29, Network Rail will be replacing the track, alongside other rail works. These additional changes are being complete between Pilning and Severn Beach. Additionally, whilst the line is closed workers will be focusing on the overhead power lines that run through the Severn Tunnel itself.
If you’re travelling out of Bristol in June, your train could be affected (Image: Tom Wren SWNS)
Network Rail programme director Ross Mahoney said: “I’d like to thank train operators, passengers and our freight customers for their patience as we work on this busy section of the route between Bristol and South Wales over this two-week period. The main focus is on replacing track in the Filton and Patchway areas of South Gloucestershire.
“Following last year’s track replacement inside the Severn Tunnel we’re also returning there to complete maintenance on the overhead power lines while the line is closed. On the Wales side, we’ll be taking advantage of the closure to carry out maintenance of the overhead line equipment as well as track and vegetation work. All of this work is vital to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.”
There will be no direct trains running between Bristol and South Wales, which includes services between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour, as well as services between Cardiff Central and Taunton or Exeter St Davids. The key dates that will be affected by these changes start from Monday 9 June to Saturday 14 June. Following that, trains will continue to be disrupted from Monday 16 to Friday 20 June.
June 9 – 14 and June 16- 20
Passengers that will be travelling between Bristol and South Wales are being urged to change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa. Here they will find trains that are still running to the right destination. Those set to board trains between London and South Wales, will have to use an alternative route between Swindon and Newport, which will be stopping at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway.
It’s worth noting that their will be a limited service running between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway. In place of trains, there are a number of rail replacement buses planned to go ahead between Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction/Newport, but these will be limited.
June 9- 13
Network Rail have assured that there will be amended and reduced transport for Wales services running between Cardiff Central and Newport, with extended journey times. As a result, trains will be retimed to run earlier or later than usual.
June 15
There will be rail replacement services operating operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport or Cardiff Central on this date. As well as this, you can expect to still see trains still running between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway, and in and around Newport, Swansea and Carmarthen. However, trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will also be reduced to hourly services.
Sunday, June 29
If you’re travelling between Bristol and South Wales on this date, it’s advised that you change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa, where trains will still be running both to and from South Wales. Any trains between London and South Wales will be diverted through Gloucester and will not be stopping at Bristol Parkway until around 16:00 pm.
A limited train service will run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway and replacement buses are also planned between Bristol Parkway and Newport until 1530.
Due to these railworks disrupting journeys, its ticket acceptance will be in place, resulting in free travel for those with a valid rail ticket on certain buses. These include the Metrobus m4 bus services from Bristol Parkway to and from Patchway, as well as TrawsCymru T7 bus services between Chepstow and Bristol.
Marcus Deegan, GWR station manager for Bristol Parkway, said: “This work forms part of an ongoing programme of investment, helping to ensure we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services. To maintain rail connections to and from South Wales, some of our trains will use a different route from normal, via Gloucester, making journeys around an hour longer…
“It’s important customers are aware the alternative travel arrangements in place on these dates will make journey times at least an hour longer than usual. In addition, major concerts are also planned to take place during this period in Cardiff and in Bath, so please check your journey details in advance.”