Plans to carry out track improvement, and bridge refurbishment, work saw the railway line between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Shrub Hill closed for seven days. Completion of this work will ensure the continued use of the railway line for years ahead by renewing infrastructure that is nearing the end of its design life.
From Saturday 29 May to Friday 4 June, buses will replace trains between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Foregate Street. Buses will be timed to connect with trains which will continue to run between London Paddington and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Buses will also replace trains between Gloucester and Worcester Foregate Street on the weekend of 29/30 May while Network Rail renew the tracks in the Worcester Shrub Hill area.
GWR Station Manager for the Cotswolds Line, Billy White, thanked passengers in advance for their patience and reminded them of the changes ahead which these improvement works are helping to bring. He said: “This work is important to ensure we can continue to provide services on what is a vital rail link for the Cotswolds area and we thank customers for their patience in advance. We have been working hard to make sure that people can be confident to travel safely, and that includes running as many trains and carriages as we can to make extra room, and replacement buses where trains cannot operate, as well as enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures.”
Where buses replace trains, journeys will be extended by up to 80 minutes. Alternative routes into London through Gloucester (weekdays only) and Birmingham will remain open for passengers who may prefer to complete their journey by train.