More than two miles of track, sleepers, and ballast is to be renewed in the Severn Tunnel this summer.

The new track will enable a temporary 50 mph speed restriction that has been in place in recent weeks to be removed.

During the next two months, Network Rail will carry out essential track maintenance and test the electrical power supply in the tunnel.

Whilst the work takes place, there will be some disruption to Great Western Railway services between London and South Wales.

From Friday, 1st to Sunday, 10th July:

• Trains between London and South Wales will use an alternative route between Swindon and Newport, and will stop at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway;
• A limited train service will still run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway on weekdays only; at other times passengers should travel via Bristol Temple Meads instead;
• Buses will replace trains between Bristol Parkway and Newport.

Friday, 8th and Saturday, 9th July:

• Buses will replace trains at Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road for travel to Filton Abbey Wood or Bristol Parkway .

Sunday, 17th July and Sunday, 14th August (until midday).

• Follow-up engineering work is planned that will affect trains between Bristol and South Wales.

Further information about the work is available at GWR.com/Bristol.

Mark Dix, Project Manager at Network Rail said:

“The Severn Tunnel is a vital rail link for passengers travelling between Wales and England, so it is extremely important that we invest in its future.

“Once this work is finished, passengers travelling via Bristol Parkway will experience fewer delays with much more reliable journeys.

“I appreciate that this work is going to cause some disruption for passengers, so I would like to thank them in advance for their patience.”

David Bailey, GWR’s customer service manager for South Wales, said:

“The work inside the Severn Tunnel will support our train service in Wales, especially those trains running under electric power serving Cardiff Central and Newport.

“We will divert long-distance trains via an alternative route and provide road transport between Newport and Bristol Parkway to ensure customers can complete their journeys.”