gwr train strike

Great Western Railway Upcoming Rail Improvement Works

/in /by

Please be advised of the upcoming rail improvement works as advised by  Great Western Railway some of the changes are limited to specific branch lines, others such as the diversion of trains to London via Bristol from 18 February to 2 March, will impact all long distance services.

Please also refer to their dedicated regularly updated webpage on www.GWR.com/Upgrade.

The work taking place is important for the safety and reliability of rail services, and the investment in the south west is of course welcome, but they understand that the changes will impact customers, and they want them to have as much notice as possible to plan ahead.

Par to Newquay – Friday 27 to Monday 30 January

  • Track renewals on the branch line
  • No trains will run on the Par to Newquay branch line. Buses will replace trains
  • Replacement buses will depart from St Austell instead of Par (except for 0600 Par to Newquay bus on weekdays)

 

South West long-distance services to London Paddington – 18 February – 2 March

Rail improvements will also be taking place in the Newbury area on the following days:

  • Saturday 18 February to Thursday 2 March
  • Sunday 5 March
  • Weekend of 11/12 March
  • Friday 7 to Monday 10 April (Easter weekend)
  • Sunday 16, 23 April and 14 May

Trains between London Paddington and the south west will be diverted via Swindon on these days, extending journey times. Services may also arrive/depart at different times to normal.

 

Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple/Okehampton – Monday 20 to Friday 24 February

  • Track renewals in the Crediton area
  • Buses will replace trains between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple/Okehampton
  • A reduced service will run between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central
  • Trains will run as normal between Exmouth and Paignton

 

South Devon area – weekend of 18/19 March

Track renewals between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot (extending to Plymouth and Paignton on Sunday until 1630)

  • Buses will run between Tiverton Parkway and Plymouth (non-stop) throughout the weekend

Saturday (all day) and Sunday (from 1630)

  • Buses will replace trains between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot
  • Shuttle services will run between Newton Abbot and Plymouth/Paignton

Sunday (until 1630)

  • Buses will replace trains between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth
  • No trains or replacement buses will run between Newton Abbot and Paignton. Rail tickets will be accepted on Stagecoach local bus 12

Taunton area – Monday 20 to Thursday 23 March

  • Track renewals through Taunton station
  • A limited direct service will continue to run between London Paddington and the south west, using an alternative route. Most will start/terminate at Plymouth
  • Cross-country services will terminate at Bristol Temple Meads (from the north) and Tiverton Parkway (from Plymouth/Penzance)
  • Replacement buses will run between Castle Cary/Weston-super-Mare and Exeter St Davids, including fast services between Tiverton Parkway, Taunton and Bristol Parkway
  • Trains will continue to run between Tiverton Parkway/Exeter St Davids and Penzance

East Cornwall area – Monday 27 to Thursday 30 March

  • Track renewals between Liskeard and Par
  • Buses will replace trains between Plymouth and St Austell

Trains will continue to run between Plymouth – Liskeard and Par – Penzance although services will be reduced