Passengers travelling between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction are being encouraged to check before they travel, with major engineering work getting underway this July 2025.
The railway will be closed through the Severn Estuary for three weeks from Sunday 27 July until Sunday 17 August 2025.
Rail replacement buses will be running in place of CrossCountry and Transport for Wales services between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction via Lydney and Chepstow while engineering work takes place – and journey times may be extended.
Works include stabilising the slopes beside the tracks with around 7,600 grouted rock anchors and 32,000 square metres of netting; track renewal and drainage improvements near Newnham Tunnel; signal upgrades and infrastructure improvements under the Gloucester Area Signalling Project (GASP); and platform line painting, litter and vegetation clearance at Lydney and Chepstow stations.
Route director at Network Rail (Wales and Borders), Nick Millington, said: 'These works are part of the wider Severn Estuary Resilience Programme (SERP), a program designed to protect the railway lines in the area which – owing to its geography, geology and a changing climate – is especially prone to extreme weather and coastal erosion.
'We have chosen this time of year so that it minimises the number of passengers and freight hauliers impacted by this essential work, while keeping our teams undertaking the work safe.
'This latest stage continues our commitment to improve the long-term safety and reliability in an area historically prone to landslips.'
Engineering works start at 00.40am on Sunday 27 July and are due to be completed by 08.40am on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Anyone travelling on this route is advised to allow extra time for their journey and plan ahead using National Rail and Transport for Wales's online journey planners.
Station staff will also be on hand to assist passengers during this time.
