Bridge and track work between Bristol, Bath and Freshford

This autumn, we’re replacing track and repairing a bridge to keep train journeys safe and reliable in the Bristol and Bath area

Project timeline

Vital maintenance work takes place on the line between Sunday 27 October and Thursday 31 October 2024.

What work is taking place?

From Sunday 27 October until Thursday 31 October, we’ll be working on the railway at two locations in the Bristol and Bath area.

We’ll be replacing just over a kilometre of track inside St Anne’s Tunnel, between Bristol Temple Meads and Keynsham station. This includes cutting out the existing track and digging out the stone, before installing new stone, sleepers and rail.

At Limpley Stoke to the south of Bath, we’ll be completing repairs to the railway bridge. Please note local road closures are also needed that fall outside of these dates.

When is the work taking place?

The bulk of the work on the railway bridge at Limpley Stoke takes place between 2pm on Saturday 26 October and 2am on Monday 28 October.

The main part of the track renewal inside St Anne’s Tunnel will take place between Monday 28 October and Thursday 31 October.

How will this work affect me?

Railway bridge repairs at Limpley Stoke require closure of the B3108 Lower Stoke Road with its junction with the A36:

  • 9pm – 6am each night from Monday 21 October to Friday 25 October
  • Continuous closure from 2pm on Saturday 26 October until 2am on Monday 28 October
  • 10pm – 6am on Saturday 2 November and Saturday 9 November

The railway will be closed for one day only, affecting trains between Bath Spa and Westbury on Sunday 27 October.

Track renewal work at St Anne’s Tunnel will require the closure of the railway from Monday 28 to Thursday 31 October. Buses will replace trains between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads. No trains will call at Oldfield Park or Keynsham stations.

Sunday 27 October:

  • No train services between Bath Spa and Westbury
  • Trains will still run between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads or Cardiff Central. Plus between Westbury and Portsmouth Harbour or Weymouth
  • Replacement buses are planned between Bath Spa and Bradford-on-Avon or Westbury

Monday 28 to Thursday 31 October:

  • No train services between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads (including Keynsham and Oldfield Park)
  • Trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will use another route. They won’t stop at Chippenham or Bath Spa
  • A reduced train service will operate between London Paddington and Bath Spa via Chippenham
  • Trains will run between Cardiff Central or Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads. Between Bath Spa and Portsmouth Harbour. Plus between Westbury and Weymouth
  • Replacement buses are planned between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads
  • You can also use local bus services instead between Bath and Bristol

Upcoming work

From Friday 27 December 2024 to Thursday 23 January 2025 inclusive, the railway through Westbury, as well as between Westbury and Salisbury, Wiltshire, will be closed. This is for track upgrades close to Westbury station and maintenance of the Sherrington viaduct. Trains will be diverted or replaced by buses.

Why is the work needed?

This is vital maintenance for the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.

Check before you travel

Get in touch

If you have any additional questions about the work taking place in your area please call our dedicated 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or visit our contact us page.