Work is nearly complete on a key junction near Bristol Temple Meads, but there will be disruption to trains this week with some services being replaced by buses.

New tracks and signalling are being installed as part of the Bristol Rail Regeneration programme, which will allow more train services in the future and improve reliability.

The extra train services will provide thousands of extra seats in the future, along with plans for new railway stations backed by the West of England Combined Authority.

Train operator Great Western Railway have agreed ticket acceptance with First West of England buses on any reasonable route in the Bristol area while the work takes place.

More information can be found over on the Great Western Railway website

The following changes are taking place to services from Tuesday 31 August to Friday 3 September

• Buses will replace all trains to/from Bristol Temple Meads
• Trains will run between Bedminster and Weston-super-Mare/Taunton
• Trains will also run between Lawrence Hill and Avonmouth/Severn Beach
• Trains won’t stop at Bristol Temple Meads between Bath Spa and Filton Abbey Wood
• Trains between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour will be retimed, in some cases earlier than usual, and will be diverted, not calling at Bristol Temple Meads, but calling additionally at Bristol Parkway. Some trains will not run at all or will only run for part of their journey.

GWR Regional Development Manager Matt Barnes explains: “This work will in time help us to deliver 4,000 more train seats a day into the city, on more services through Bristol and help to reduce the conflict between long-distance and local stopping services, helping to maintain the reliability of our trains.

“But while we will continue to operate trains through Bristol, there will be some alterations to timetables and journey frequency, so please do check what is best for you if you are travelling during the period and allow extra time for your journey.”

Jonathan Davies, Network Rail Project Director, said: “We would like to thank in advance our passengers and local residents for their patience while we undertake this important, transformative work at Bristol East junction.

“We are working closely with the train operating companies to ensure disruption is minimised as much as possible and we encourage passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel, particularly during this period.”

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