UPDATE: Please note that work on the Severn Tunnel is nearly complete. Normal service will resume on Monday 24th October 2016.
From September 2016, the Severn Tunnel will be shut for six weeks due to works on the rail electrification.
The tunnel will shut on the 12th September 2016 and will reopen on the 21st October 2016. During this time, Network Rail engineers will be working to install the new equipment to power the new fleet of faster, greener electric trains.
Please click here to see information from Network Rail regarding the closure.
You can also see the information leaflet from Network Rail by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to see the FAQs from Network Rail.
Public Transport
Please see below information from transport operators regarding the closure.
Arriva Trains Wales
Due to the closure of the Severn Tunnel between the 12th September and 21st October, no trains will run between Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction; with South Wales to London services being diverted via an alternative route, and rail replacement buses running between Newport/Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway.
Please note that Arriva Trains Wales rail services will continue to stop at Severn Tunnel Junction, and CrossCountry rail services will also stop additionally at Severn Tunnel Junction during this period.
The rail replacement bus services will be extended to Cardiff on the weekends of the 17th -18th September and 16th October due to the line between Cardiff and Newport also being closed on these dates.
Customers are advised to please allow extra time to complete your journey.
Please see more information on the Arriva Trains Wales website here.
Great Western Railway
Network Rail are working on the electrification of the Great Western mainline from London to Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea, which will mean brand new trains and faster rail services.
Great Western Railway (GWR) have been working closely with Network Rail to provide the best service possible during these essential works.
Rail services to London will continue to run via Gloucester and journeys will therefore be longer. GWR will also offer a comprehensive schedule of bus service between Newport and Bristol for local journeys.
A dedicated webpage for information can be found on the Great Western Railway website here.
You can also see an accompanying information leaflet here, which they have produced with Network Rail. These contain information on rail replacement buses and details of which services will be affected:
GWR are also working with Arriva Trains Wales to provide information at stations and will have announcements and advice on board the trains.
In addition to the work in Severn Tunnel, Network Rail will also be carrying out improvement work around Filton, which will affect Bristol, South Wales and Gloucester services on August Bank Holiday (27th - 29th August).
A dedicated webpage for information has also been created for this piece of work, which can be found on the Great Western Railway website here, along with an accompanying information leaflet here.
The resignalling work at Filton will mean a number of altered train journeys. GWR are working with Network Rail to have these loaded into the train booking system as quickly as possible.
Customers are advised to please check for updates through special messages when tickets are booked online and with information at booking offices.
Great Western Railway Timetables
Please see the timetables from GWR that will be in place during the closure: