Passengers using Highbridge & Burnham railway station have been warned to expect disruption over the next two months as repair work costing millions of pounds gets started.
Network Rail will renew miles of track between the Highbridge & Burnham station and Bridgwater as part of an extensive renewals programme to improve train services between London Paddington and the West Country. This important work will require the closure of the line between Highbridge & Burnham and Taunton from Monday 20th November to Friday 8th December.
Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Western Route Director, 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.”
Network Rail has worked closely with train operators First Great Western and Virgin CrossCountry to put in place an amended timetable designed to keep disruption to a minimum.
First Great Western local train services will be replaced by bus services between Weston and Taunton for the duration of the works, also serving Highbridge & Burnham Station and Bridgwater Station.
Rail passengers travelling between Taunton and Bristol are advised to use Virgin CrossCountry train services, which will be diverted via Westbury and Bath Spa.
.HOW THE WORK WILL AFFECT HIGHBRIDGE & BURNHAM STATION:
Full closure:
The line between Highbridge & Burnham and Taunton will be closed from Monday 20th November to Friday 8th December.
Weekend closures:
The line will also be closed between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton on the weekends of:
18/19 November
25/26 November
2/3 December
9/10 December
16/17 December
This is to allow further works, including renewing the track at Highbridge & Burnham, and renewing switches and crossings at Bedminster.
During this closure, Virgin CrossCountry services will be diverted via Westbury and Bath Spa, with journey times increased by one hour. Virgin CrossCountry services to and from Plymouth/Penzance will be diverted via Bath Spa, with those normally running to and from Paignton starting from and terminating at Bristol Temple Meads.
First Great Western will run replacement bus services between Weston-super-Mare and Taunton.
Normal services:
The line between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton will be running as normal between:
05:35 and 10:00 on each Monday between 20 November and 4 December
14:00 and 00:30 on each Friday between 24 November and 8 December
Customers are advised to always check journey details before travelling by contacting National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or by checking the website www.nationalrail.co.uk.
