Filton and Beach rail upgrades

During August we’re renewing track, drainage and a bridge in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. 

This summer, we’re completing essential railway maintenance at Lawrence Hill, Montpelier and Chittening in Avonmouth.

What work is taking place? 

This summer we are replacing track and drainage at Lawrence Hill and Montpelier, as well as a railway bridge at Chittening. 

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

Project in numbers

  • Replacing track components (some require rail and stone only) over a total distance of just over 1.1km
  • Working to renew 210 metres of drainage
  • Removing 3,514 tonnes of spoil
  • Installing 2,822 tonnes of ballast (stone)
  • Installing 200 tonnes of pea shingle

When is the work taking place?

The majority will take place over a one week period, between Saturday 17 and Saturday 24 August.

During this period we will be working around the clock to get everything completed while the railway is closed.

For our track work at Lawrence Hill and Montpellier, preparatory work started in early July and follow up work will run, mostly on Saturday nights, until Friday 4 October.

How will this work affect me?

Travel arrangements Saturday 17 to Friday 23 August

On Saturday 17 August buses replace trains between Severn Beach and Avonmouth only.

From Sunday 18 until Friday 23 August buses replace trains between Severn Beach/Clifton Down and Bristol Temple Meads. During this time direct trains will run between Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Temple Meads but won’t stop at Stapleton Road or Lawrence Hill stations.

Road closure at Chittening

To enable the bridge replacement work taking place, traffic management measures are being put in place along the A403 (Severn Road)

  • Two-way lights are intermittently in operation during the hours of 8am and 6pm from now until 6 September 2024
  • Road closure of A403 Severn Road between the hours of 9pm and 5am detailed below:
    • Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 August
    • Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 August

The work has been planned to keep disruption to passengers, residents, and businesses to a minimum; there’ll be a signed diversion, suitable for Heavy Goods Vehicles, in place:

Heading north from the closure, the diversion continues on the A403 to Aust where it joins the M48, continuing onto the M4/M5 Almondsbury interchange and taking the M5 Southbound to Junction 18, before joining the M49 and the A4, returning onto the A403 from the south for St Andrew’s Road, Smoke Lane and Chittening Road.

Check before you travel

Get in touch

If you have any questions please call our dedicated 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or visit our contact us page.