Passengers traveling through Gloucestershire are advised to plan their journeys carefully over the upcoming weekends as significant railway maintenance will temporarily close parts of the line. Network Rail engineers will be working to install new rails, upgrade track equipment, and improve drainage systems to enhance the railway’s durability and reliability.
Alongside these upgrades, construction will continue on the new Charfield station, and additional improvements are planned at Cheltenham Spa and Kemble stations.
On Saturday, April 11, Sunday, April 12, Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, replacement bus services will operate for some Great Western Railway (GWR) routes between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway, Gloucester and Stroud (on Saturdays), and Gloucester and Swindon (on Sundays).
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Meanwhile, CrossCountry trains will continue to run between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway via an alternative route, making stops at Gloucester and Newport. Train services will also operate between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa during this period.
Mark Parker, Network Rail’s lead portfolio manager, emphasized the importance of the work: “We’ll be working non-stop over the next two weekends to complete this essential maintenance to improve journeys for passengers throughout Gloucestershire. We urge travelers to plan ahead as some journeys will be affected by bus replacements.”
Chloe Coglan, GWR’s station manager for Cheltenham and Gloucester, acknowledged the inconvenience but highlighted the long-term benefits: “Trains between Cheltenham Spa or Gloucester and London Paddington will start or terminate at Stroud on Saturdays and will not run on Sundays. Replacement road transport will be provided for affected stations on both weekends to ensure customers can complete their journeys. Please be aware that these alternative arrangements may extend travel times, so we encourage all passengers to plan accordingly.”