Rail passengers are being advised to plan ahead as Network Rail will be completing vital maintenance work on the railway in the Bristol area from Sunday 16 to Thursday 27 August.
Engineers will be replacing Avonmouth level crossing (over King Road), as well as completing track and points maintenance, improving drainage and carrying out vegetation management at various locations between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach.
Other work includes early preparations at Lawrence Hill station, where work to install a new lift to significantly enhance accessibility for all passengers.
Over the 12 days of planned engineering work, passengers are being asked to check their travel arrangements in advance and allow extra time for their journey. Train services that would normally call at stations between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach will be affected to varying degrees as the focus of our work moves from location to location.
Travel information
The work runs through different phases during the 12 days, meaning varying travel arrangements. Passengers are reminded to check before travelling throughout this period:
Monday 17 to Friday 21 August
Rail replacement buses will operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach, calling at all stations on the route.
Train services will continue to run between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, but will not call at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road or Ashley Down.
Passengers travelling to or from Ashley Down should use local bus services 70 or 74 with a valid rail ticket.
Saturday 22 to Thursday 27 August
Rail replacement buses will continue to operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach.
Train services will run between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, calling at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Ashley Down and Filton Abbey Wood.
Jason Pankhurst, Senior Programme Manager for Network Rail said:
“The Severn Beach Line is a vital railway for local communities, connecting people with work, education and leisure across Bristol and beyond. This programme of work will help ensure the route continues to provide a safe, reliable and efficient service for years to come.
“As well as replacing Avonmouth level crossing and carrying out essential track maintenance, we’re taking the opportunity to complete a range of improvements across the route, including preparations for a new accessible lift at Lawrence Hill station.
“We appreciate the temporary disruption this work will cause and would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding. We strongly encourage anyone planning to travel during this period to check their journey in advance and allow extra time where needed.”
GWR’s Station Manager for the Bristol area, Ben Scott, said:
“These essential upgrades to the Severn Beach line are part of our ongoing commitment to delivering lasting change for the communities and passengers who depend on these services every day.
“Trains will not be calling at stations between Montpelier and Severn Beach from Monday 17 to Thursday 27 August, with Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Ashley Down also affected until Saturday 22 August. Replacement road transport will be in place for all affected stations, and customers with valid rail tickets can also travel on First West of England buses.
“We know that disruption to everyday journeys is never welcome, and we are sorry for the inconvenience this causes. We would encourage customers to plan ahead, as alternative travel arrangements are likely to add time to usual journey times.”
Image credit: Network Rail
