Severn Tunnel to shut as ‘electrification kit rusts’
THE Severn Tunnel is set to shut for several weeks causing major disruption on the rail network.
A source has told the Western Mail that electrification equipment installed during the last Severn Tunnel closure in autumn 2016 has since “gone rusty” before even being used.
Network Rail yesterday did not confirm or deny reports equipment has rusted, but said it was “taking this opportunity to build on the modernisation work delivered” in 2016.
Commuters and concert-goers will be hit by the works which run from tomorrow to, and including, Friday, July 6.
Journeys to London Paddington will be extended by up 40 minutes and bus replacement services and diversions will also be in place along several other routes during the closure.
The disruption is at the same time Ed Sheeran heads to Cardiff to play four nights at the Principality Stadium between June 21 and 24.
Engineers will be working on lowering track in the two Patchway tunnels and on “track renewal” in the Severn Tunnel.
Further electrification works are also planned on the line between Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction.
The disruption comes after the Severn Tunnel was closed in autumn 2016 for previous maintenance work.
An hourly train service will run between south Wales and London Paddington on a diverted route, extending journey times by up to 40 minutes. The service will divert between Newport and Swindon.
On Sundays June 17 and July 1 the diversionary route is unavailable, and rail replacement buses will operate between Newport and Bristol Parkway.
Services between Taunton and Portsmouth Harbour will start from Bristol Parkway instead of Cardiff Central.
Replacement buses will run between Newport and Bristol Parkway. Direct replacement buses will operate after the Ed Sheeran gigs at
the Principality Stadium to Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway.
During this time Network Rail engineers will also be working on the south Wales mainline, between the Severn Tunnel and Cardiff Central station impacting Arriva Trains Wales services.
Arriva Trains Wales services between Cardiff and Cwmbran, and Cardiff and Ebbw Vale will be affected with rail-replacement bus services in operation.
Services between Cardiff and Newport will be less frequent, with platform changes and minor re-timings at both stations.
Services to Holyhead and Cheltenham will also be altered.
GWR operations director Rob Mullen said: “This piece of work is an essential part to the electrification programme, and we advise our passengers to plan their journey before they travel.
“New Intercity Express Trains are already operating between south Wales and London providing more seats than the trains they replace.
“This electrification work, once complete, will enable us to deliver the full benefit of these new trains, including more frequent services and quicker journeys.”
Passengers are advised to check their journey times before travelling.
Network Rail thanked passengers for their patience during the closure.
A spokeswoman said: “The Severn tunnel and Patchway tunnel in Bristol will be closed for three weeks so engineers can deliver essential modernisation and electrification work on the mainline in Bristol and south Wales.
“The work in Patchway tunnel involves lowering the track to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed to power trains running on electricity.
“In order for engineers to safely carry out this work, the Severn Tunnel must also be closed to trains.
“We are taking this opportunity to build on the modernisation work delivered in the tunnel during autumn 2016, including maintaining the new equipment and drainage system and removing redundant cables and telecoms equipment.”