During a six week period this summer, 18 July to 31 August, Network Rail will carry out essential infrastructure work which will involve:
- A massive and complex railway track lowering and reconfiguring scheme to the east of Bath.
- Track lowering at the east end of Box Tunnel and full track renewal throughout.
- Switching and crossing works at Bathhampton Junction.
- Ttrack lowering in Sydney Gardens and also under a few bridges between Bathampton and Sydney Gardens.
This work is organised in two phases and the train services changes will reflect the two phases. There is a further outline below:
18 – 31 July 2015
Box Tunnel will be closed affecting journeys between Bath and Chippenham and journeys via Melksham. The Avon Valley services will run normally.One train an hour will run between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington via Bath Spa and Chippenham which will be diverted with an added journey time of approximately 30 minutes
A second hourly Bristol to London Paddington service will run via an alternative route, running non-stop to Swindon
Some Trans Wilts trains via Melksham will be replaced by Rail Replacement buses
1- 31 August 2015
The railway between Chippenham and Bath and Trowbridge to Bath will be closed. Services will still be running to and from the West of Bath.Three trains per hour from Bath Spa: one HST service continues onto London Paddington, one direct HST service between Bath and Bristol Temple Meads, one stopping service between Bath and Bristol Temple Meads serving Keynsham and Oldfield Park (additional peak time services will be added and also call at Filton Abbey Wood)
Hourly service from Chippenham to London Paddington
Hourly service from Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon via Melksham. Customers should change at Swindon for connections to Bristol and South Wales
Half hourly service from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central
The Weymouth service will terminate at/start from Westbury with some re-timings
Comprehensive replacement bus service from Bath to: Westbury, Frome, Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Avoncliff, Freshford, Castle Cary and Bristol Temple Meads (peak only to connect with Weymouth line services)
For more information go to: firstgreatwestern.co.uk/bath2015 where you will find dates of sessions to ask your questions.
