Train services will be affected by essential track renewal and drainage work in the Newbury area at weekends in June.
Network Rail needs to replace the track between Theale and Bedwyn along with flood alleviation works on the line.
As a result, buses will replace trains between Reading and Newbury or Bedwyn on the weekends of 6/7 and 13/14 June.
Replacement transport is also planned between Newbury, Kintbury and Hungerford, plus between Pewsey and Swindon.
GWR trains between London Paddington and Plymouth, Newquay or Penzance will use an alternative route via Swindon instead.
Train services between Reading and Basingstoke will not be affected.
GWR’s Station Manager at Newbury, Tom Butler, said:
“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause but the work planned will help us to maintain our train services in the area for years to come.
“Rail replacement services are planned for those stations affected, including a minibus at Newbury to serve Kintbury and Hungerford stations.
“It’s important that customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements could make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead.”
Network Rail portfolio manager, Mark Parker, said:
“We’ll be replacing track that’s reached the end of its working life and improving the drainage to help the area cope better with heavy rain.
“We’re sorry to have to close the railway temporarily but we need to keep our teams safe and complete the work as quickly as possible.”
Travel smart
- Check your journey: GWR.com/Upgrade
- Allow extra time
- Sign up for alerts to stay informed of any changes
- Your rail ticket is valid on replacement buses
Image credit: GWR
