No train services will be running between Bath and Bristol for a number of weeks due to ongoing regeneration work at Bristol Temple Meads railway station later this year.
Photo courtesy of Great Western Railway
The work is part of the Bristol Rail Regeneration programme, which is carrying out improvements to the station and local railway over the next three years.
Passengers are being warned about disruption to services between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads, which will not be running between Saturday 7th August and Friday 3rd September.
Alternative road transport will be in place, though it is expected to add around 30 minutes to journeys.
Jonathan Davies, Network Rail Project Director, said: “We would like to thank in advance our passengers and local residents for their patience while we undertake this important, transformative work at Bristol East junction.
“We are working closely with the train operating companies to ensure disruption is minimised as much as possible and we encourage passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel, particularly during this period.”
GWR Regional Development Manager Matt Barnes added: “This work will in time help us to deliver 4,000 more train seats a day into the city, on more services through Bristol and help to reduce the conflict between long-distance and local stopping services, helping to maintain the reliability of our trains.
“We will continue to operate trains through Bristol during the period, but there will be some alterations to timetables and journey frequency, so please do check what is best for you if you’re travelling during the period.”
Trains between London Paddington and South Wales or to the North via Bristol Parkway, or to the South West via Taunton will continue to operate throughout this period.
There will also be no impact on long-distance train services to/from Bristol Temple Meads for the first four weeks, but some local stopping services will be different.
Saturday 10th July to Friday 13th August
- No direct trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central or Gloucester – these trains will stop at Bristol Parkway instead.
- Severn Beach trains will run from Lawrence Hill (except Sundays) – alternative road transport will run to/from Bristol Temple Meads.
Saturday 7th August and Monday 9th to Friday 13th August
- No trains can run between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa – alternative road transport will be provided instead, adding around 30 minutes to journeys.
- CrossCountry trains won’t stop at Bristol Temple Meads
Sunday 8th August
- No trains can stop at Bristol Temple Meads – alternative road transport will run to/from Bristol Parkway, Bath Spa, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare or Severn Beach.
Saturday 14th to Monday 30th August
- No trains can run between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa – alternative road transport will be provided instead, adding around 30 minutes to journeys.
Tuesday 31st August to Friday 3rd September
- No trains can stop at Bristol Temple Meads – alternative road transport will run to/from Bristol Parkway, Bath Spa, Taunton, Bedminster or Lawrence Hill.
Train companies are currently working with Network Rail to finalise their timetables for this summer.
As an alternative, Great Western Railway will aim to have ticket acceptance on First West of England buses in the Bristol area on any reasonable route for the duration of the works.
