Passengers travelling between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction are advised to plan ahead as essential engineering work will close the railway through the Severn Estuary for three weeks, from 00:40 on Sunday 27 July until 08:40 on Sunday 17 August 2025.
These latest improvement works includes:
- Stabilisation of the slopes beside the tracks, with nearly 7,600 grouted rock anchors and netting over 32,000 square metres
- Track renewal and drainage improvements near Newnham Tunnel
- Vegetation management, platform line painting, and litter clearance activities at Chepstow and Lydney stations
- Signal upgrades and other infrastructure improvements under the Gloucester Area Signalling Project (GASP)
To allow engineers to work safely, no trains will run between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction throughout the closure period, with replacement bus services provided as follows:
- CrossCountry
Buses will replace trains between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction via Lydney and Chepstow. - Transport for Wales
Buses will run between Cheltenham Spa/Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction via Lydney and Chepstow.
Nick Millington, Route Director at Network Rail (Wales and Borders) said: “These works are part of the wider Severn Estuary Resilience Programme (SERP), a program designed to protect the railway lines in the area which – owing to its geography, geology and a changing climate – is especially prone to extreme weather and coastal erosion.”
“We have chosen this time of year so that it minimises the number of passengers and freight hauliers impacted by this essential work, while keeping our teams undertaking the work safe.”
“This latest stage continues our commitment to improve the long-term safety and reliability in an area historically prone to landslips.”
Passengers are advised to check before they travel, as journey times may be extended. Online journey planners will be updated ahead of the works, and station staff will be available to assist passengers.
Passengers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys. Check the latest travel information at www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail.
If you live near the railway and would like to receive notification of our work by email, please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/sign-up.
Image credit: Network Rail
