Works to disrupt train services

TRAIN services between Bristol and Bath will face disruption this weekend due to work to renew the tracks.

Network Rail is carrying out essential upgrades to the track east of Bristol Temple Meads station affecting trains to and from Keynsham, Oldfield Park and Bath Spa this weekend.

Customers travelling from Bath Spa and Chippenham towards London will be served by an hourly train service; while trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted via Bristol Parkway, not calling at Chippenham or Bath Spa stations.

Replacement buses will operate every 20 minutes from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads.

Trains between Portsmouth Harbour and Cardiff Central will be diverted to Swindon instead. Customers can change at Swindon for onward connections to Bristol and South Wales.

Great Western Railway has increased the number of trains it runs as schools and colleges return.

Rail services were reduced when a nationwide lockdown was introduced in March, and the rail operator has been implementing a phased return to its previous, full timetable.

The weekend’s improvement work by Network Rail is part of a major track remodelling scheme for Bristol in 2021 to reduce congestion, increase performance, and to help enable additional services to be operated in future