Great Western Railway (GWR) has issued an important warning for passengers traveling between Bristol and Bath this half term. Network Rail engineers will be conducting essential maintenance and track replacement work between Bristol Temple Meads and Keynsham from Monday 27 to Thursday 30 October.
This critical infrastructure upgrade aims to enhance the reliability and safety of the route and is part of a broader rail improvement programme. During this period, all trains between Bristol Temple Meads, Keynsham, Oldfield Park, and Bath Spa will be replaced by bus services.
Oana Apetroaie, GWR Station Manager for Bath Spa and Chippenham, explained: “Buses will replace all trains on this section for four days. Customers can also use their rail tickets to travel on local First West of England bus services. Trains will continue to run between London Paddington and Bath Spa via Chippenham and between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads on an alternative route.”
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Passengers should be aware that these arrangements may extend journey times, so planning ahead is strongly advised. Additionally, replacement buses will not stop directly outside Keynsham or Oldfield Park stations. Clear signage will guide passengers between bus stops and stations.
Mark Parker, Lead Portfolio Manager for Network Rail, added: “We will be working through St Anne’s tunnel to replace over a kilometre of track and more than 5,000 tonnes of stone. Our maintenance teams will also carry out essential signalling upgrades during the line closure. While these works may cause disruption, they are essential to maintain the railway’s safety and reliability. We thank passengers and residents for their patience.”
Travelers are encouraged to check timetables and plan journeys accordingly during this essential maintenance period to minimize inconvenience.