Changes to weekend rail journeys in January

There will be major changes to key rail routes in January.

Network Rail is to carry out essential upgrades to overhead power lines and track between Didcot in South Oxfordshire and Swindon in Wiltshire.

This will mean trains running between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or Swansea will use an alternative route via Westbury and not be able to stop at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham. There will be shuttle services or replacement buses in place of this.

Sam Bowen from Network Rail said: "The upgrades to track and overhead lines will make a real difference to reliability and performance. We really appreciate your patience while we make these improvements."

• Friday 2 and Saturday 3 January

• Weekends of 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25 January

• Morning of Sunday 4 January (services to/from London Paddington until before midday)

Friday 2 January

• Long-distance trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or Swansea will not stop at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham

• A shuttle train service will still run between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway, plus Swindon and Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads or Westbury

• Replacement buses will run between Swindon and Didcot Parkway or Reading

Saturday 3 January, plus the weekends of 10/11, 17/18 and 24/25 January

• Long-distance trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or Swansea will not stop at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham

• Trains will still run between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway, Swindon and Cheltenham Spa, plus Chippenham and Bristol Temple Meads or Westbury

• Replacement buses will operate between Swindon and Didcot Parkway or Reading, plus between Swindon and Bristol Parkway or Chippenham

• Valid rail tickets can also be used to travel on local buses in Bath and Wiltshire

Sunday 4 January (until before midday)

• Most GWR trains will start or terminate at Reading instead of London Paddington

• Some GWR and Elizabeth Line trains will run between Reading and Maidenhead; Elizabeth Line will also operate between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington

• Buses will replace trains between Maidenhead, Slough and Hayes & Harlington

• Trains between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central will be unaffected

Marcus Deegan, GWR station manager for Swindon and Bristol Parkway, said: "We know engineering work can be frustrating, but this investment is really important to keeping your services reliable for years to come.

"Trains will take alternative routes, which means longer journey times, or buses will operate where we are unable to run trains. We're doing everything we can to keep you moving – but please check your journey before you set off."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.