Later this month, services between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton will be severely disrupted with no services to Weston-super-Mare while an important railway junction just outside Temple Meads is refurbished.

From 1 am next Saturday, 20 January until 4 am on Monday 29 January, Network Rail engineers will work round the clock to replace Bristol West Junction between Bristol Temple Meads and Bedminster stations.

During the work buses will replace train services between Bristol Temple Meads, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston Milton, and Weston-super-Mare. Passengers should note that replacement buses will not run to and from Nailsea & Backwell station, but will stop at the crossroads bus stops in Backwell.

CrossCountry train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton will continue to run, but they will be diverted via an alternative route which will extend journey times by about 55 minutes.

Follow-up work will be needed to complete the junction refurbishment from 1 am on Saturday, 3 February until 4 am on Monday, 5 February, when again there will be no train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare. Engineers will also be working overnight on Saturday nights throughout February and March to complete the work.

Anyone intending to travel between Bristol and Taunton or Weston during these periods should plan ahead through their train operator or by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Christine Lazarus, senior portfolio manager for Network Rail Wales & Western, said: “Our engineers will be working 24/7 over the nine days to get this vital refurbishment done as efficiently as possible. It’s a busy route and much of the track is in need of replacement to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the railway.

“This work can only be carried out while the line is closed and we are sorry for any inconvenience. I’d like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience during this time.

Alex Hills, GWR station manager for the Bristol area, said: “This rail improvement work forms part of an ongoing programme of maintenance to help ensure we can continue to provide customers with consistent and reliable services.

“To maintain rail connections between Bristol and Somerset, some trains will use a different route from normal, making journeys slightly longer; so please check before you travel.

“We will provide a replacement bus service between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, plus valid rail tickets can also be used on a number of local buses in Bristol and North Somerset.”