How are your trains affected by changes to rail routes in the West Country in January?

Passengers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance Credit: PA

Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption in the West Country this January due to planned engineering work.

Network Rail said there will be "major changes" to key rail routes while work is carried out to upgrade overhead power lines and track between Didcot, in South Oxfordshire, and Swindon, in Wiltshire.

Sam Bowen, from Network Rail, said: "The upgrades to track and overhead lines will make a real difference to reliability and performance. Thank you for bearing with us.

When will this affect me?

  • Friday 2 and Saturday 3 January

  • Weekends of 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25 January

  • Morning of Sunday 4 January (services to/from London Paddington until before midday)

What are the changes?

Friday 2 January

  • Long-distance trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or Swansea won’t stop at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham

  • A shuttle train service will still run between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway, plus Swindon and Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads or Westbury

  • Replacement buses will run between Swindon and Didcot Parkway or Reading

Saturday 3 January, plus the weekends of 10/11, 17/18 and 24/25 January

  • Long-distance trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads or Swansea won’t stop at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham

  • Trains will still run between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway, Swindon and Cheltenham Spa, plus Chippenham and Bristol Temple Meads or Westbury

  • Replacement buses will operate between Swindon and Didcot Parkway or Reading, plus between Swindon and Bristol Parkway or Chippenham

  • Valid rail tickets can also be used to travel on local buses in Bath and Wiltshire

Sunday 4 January (until before midday)

  • Most Great Western Railway (GWR) trains start or terminate at Reading instead of London Paddington

  • Some GWR and Elizabeth Line trains will run between Reading and Maidenhead - the Elizabeth line will also operate between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington

  • Buses will replace trains between Maidenhead, Slough and Hayes & Harlington

  • Trains between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central will be unaffected

Rail passengers in the West Country have been warned to expect disruption due to planned engineering work Credit: PA

Marcus Deegan, GWR station manager for Swindon and Bristol Parkway, said: "We know engineering work can be frustrating, but this investment is really important to keeping your services reliable for years to come.

"Trains will take alternative routes, which means longer journey times, or buses will operate where we are not able to run trains.

"We’re doing everything we can to keep you moving, but please check your journey before you set off."

Mr Bowen added: "We've scheduled this essential work for weekends when fewer people travel, to keep disruption to a minimum. We really appreciate your patience while we make these improvements."