Major work at Chipping Sodbury tunnel: amended service between London Paddington and Swansea / Carmarthen from Monday 6 July to Sunday 2 August 

Route(s) affected

Between London Paddington and Swansea / Carmarthen

Description

Engineering work is taking place between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, closing some lines. Background information on the work can be found below.

Trains between London Paddington and Swansea (some to / from Carmarthen) will be reduced to an hourly frequency and will operate to revised timings. These trains will divert between Swindon and Bristol Parkway (via Bath Spa – not calling). They will then change direction of travel at Bristol Parkway before continuing to Newport, Cardiff Central and beyond.

Most trains will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.

The hourly train service between London Paddington and Cardiff Central (also peak times to / from Swansea) will not run, although additional peak-time trains will operate between London Paddington, Reading, Didcot Parkway (most trains) and Swindon.

Background information:

Network Rail are carrying out significant work to upgrade the railway in and around Chipping Sodbury tunnel, which is between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. This stretch of railway is a key section of the Great Western mainline, carrying trains at 125mph.

East of Chipping Sodbury tunnel, more than 3,000 yards of new rail, sleepers and ballast (track stone) will be laid and drainage channels will be cleared. Soil nails and netting will be installed on the cuttings to help prevent landslips onto the railway. The lining of the tunnel will also be repaired.

The work will help improve the railway’s resilience to extreme weather. More comment is available on the Network Rail website.

Check before you travel:

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.