Rail replacement buses and line closures for track replacement works in Newbury area

Commuters are being warned of disruption on the railways later this month as Network Rail carries out works in the Newbury area.

During the works, the line between Newbury and Westbury will be affected, with a track closure in place from Bedwyn.

Replacement buses will be used and there will be a line closure on the route between Reading and Taunton.

While services will run between London Paddington and Devon or Cornwall, Great Western Railway said an alternative route will be used between Reading and Taunton, using a diversion via Swindon.

Some of these services will also be diverted via Bristol Temple Meads and some will be diverted via Westbury instead.

As a result, while services between Paddington and Newbury will take place there will be a limited service, and there may be extended journey times.

These works take place from Tuesday, September 17, through to Thursday, September 19, and will be the first round.

Between Monday, November 11, and Thursday, November 14, there will be additional works between Theale and Westbury.

Then, from Tuesday, December 10, through to Thursday, December 12, services between Newbury and Westbury will be affected.

The works are part of larger scheme to improve GWR’s Heart of Wessex route, and includes signalling works as well as track upgrades.

GWR warns that online timetables may not be amended until closer to the dates of the works, and journeys should be checked as close to the date of travel as possible.

Details are available from gwr.com and searching for Heart of Wessex Route.

Those using rail replacement services are asked to avoid taking large items of luggage, bikes and dogs apart from assistance dogs. Pushchairs have to be folded up and stored as luggage.