Travel

Railway engineering work between Taunton and Bristol

Network Rail engineers are carrying out work in the Bridgwater area between Saturday 18 November and Sunday 17 December 2006.

The line will be closed to all trains between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare:

• From 10am on Mondays until 2pm on Fridays on the weeks commencing 20 and 27 November, and 4 December

The work also means the line will be closed from Taunton through to Bristol Temple Meads:

• All weekend on 18/19 and 25/26 November, and 2/3, 9/10 and 16/17 December

First Great Western - weekdays

Buses will replace First Great Western trains between these stations on weekdays (except before 10am on Monday mornings and after 2pm on Friday afternoons):

• Taunton
• Bridgwater
• Highbridge & Burnham
• Weston-super-Mare

First Great Western trains will still shuttle between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Temple Meads.

Please check the timetable (follow the link below) to find out at what times trains will stop at the intervening stations: Weston Milton, Worle, Yatton, Nailsea & Backwell, Parson Street and Bedminster.

First Great Western - weekends

Buses will replace First Great Western trains between these stations all day at weekends:

• Taunton
• Bridgwater
• Highbridge & Burnham
• Weston-super-Mare
• Weston Milton
• Worle
• Yatton
• Nailsea & Backwell
• Parson Street
• Bedminster
• Bristol Temple Meads

Virgin CrossCountry

Virgin CrossCountry services to and from Plymouth/Penzance will be diverted via Westbury and Bath Spa, adding an hour to journey times.

Passengers travelling to and from Paignton are advised to change to and from First Great Western services at Newton Abbot.

"We shall be working hard to ensure the least possible disruption to services during the course of the work, but extended journey times are regrettably unavoidable," said Chris Gibb, managing director of Virgin CrossCountry.

Robbie Burns, from Network Rail, said: "A large percentage of the rail track between London Paddington and the West Country dates from the 1960s and 1970s - this must be renewed if we are to deliver the best possible service for passengers.

"We know that disruption is always unwelcome, but this huge investment will improve the performance of the railway in the area and bring benefits to passengers across the West Country for years to come."

Passengers are advised to allow extra time in their travel plans and to check the details in advance.

Further information

You can get more information from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or online: