Monday the 14th of August will see essential work to improve tracks carried out by Network Rail on the railway between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames. Whilst the work is underway, a rail replacement bus service will be in operation for four days.

Engineering teams will work around the clock in order to get the work done as efficiently as possible, starting at 12.30am on Monday the 14th and working through to 5.30am on Friday the 18th of August. The vital work to renew the track will ensure that local services are able to run into the future.

Great Western Railway train services will not be able to operate between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames whilst the work is taking place.

As the railway is a single-line railway, it brings greater challenges to the project for the engineering team than that of a double-line railway. In order to carry out the work Network Rail will be using a special piece of equipment called a Single Line Excavation Machine in order to remove track and ballast and will see 356 yards of track and 1,200 tonnes of ballast replaced on the line between Wargrave and Shiplake.

Passengers will be able to continue their journeys thanks to the rail replacement bus services, which will operate from Monday the 14th through to and including Thursday the 17th of August.

Friday the 18th of August will see trains return to normal service!

Due to the road network differing from the train line, the route the bus will take between Twyford and Shiplake will stop at Wargrave and Henley-on-Thames. Journeys on the rail replacement bus will take longer than those of the trains and will also depart at different times to the trains.

During the line closure, Shiplake level crossing will also be closed with a  diversion put in place to support residents and emergency vehicles to gain access.

Mark Parker, Network Rail project manager, said:

“This vital work will ensure the continued smooth running of trains on the Henley branch line and improve the reliability of services.”

“Without another rail to bring our equipment in, we’ll use a single-line excavation machine to help us work in this challenging area.”

“We apologise for the disruption for passengers and those living near the railway and we’ll be working round the clock to complete our work as quickly as possible.”

Alison Hanscomb, GWR regional station manager, said:

“These works are an essential part of keeping the railway in good condition for the years to come but we understand the consequences this will have on our customer’s journeys and we thank them for their patience during this time.”

“Buses will replace Great Western Railway trains along the Henley branch while Network Rail carry out these works, and we encourage passengers to check their journey beforehand.”