Network Rail is soon to undertake the largest stage of their work to mitigate flooding through Gloucestershire.
The area has flooded numerous times, so the work is essential to make services more reliable.
Passengers are being urged to check before they travel while the work is underway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.
Work begins on Monday, 7th July, until Sunday, 13th July, taking place around the clock at the Chipping Sodbury Tunnel.
They plan to raise 200m of track by 20cm at the western end of the tunnel, and a drainage channel will be put in place throughout the tunnel.
They will be adjusting the overhead wires to match the new height of the track.
Additionally, two pumps which currently remove water from the line will be replaced at the western end, with future design work plans for the eastern end.
As a result of this work, a section of the line needs to be closed, and trains will be diverted to Chippenham and Bath.
Trips will take longer, with additional peak time trains will run between London Paddington and Swindon.
Further work will take place, so services between London and South Wales will be diverted on the 20th July.
Further information and journey planning can be found online.
“It’s important passengers check their journeys in advance whilst we undertake this vital work to mitigate the impacts of flooding on the railway, as trains between Swindon and Bristol Parkway will take longer than usual, and there will be fewer services operating between south Wales and London.
“As part of our ongoing scheme to alleviate the impacts of flooding in the area, this work will help improve reliability and make the railway more resilient.”
Network Rail project manager George Barratt
Responses
Shame these costs and inconvenience fall to the rail industry and it’s customers. The increased flood risk here, and at most other locations arises almost exclusively through changes in farming practices. As Dr Mance (EA Water Resources) advised in 2000 (New Scientist), flood run-off at that time was increased by 20% (aquifer recharge conversely reduced) by ending winter arable practices of leaving fields ploughed and unplanted. Within 18 months the EA simply described such phenomena as ‘climate change’. Since this time usage of farm chemicals (glyphosate on arable, anthelmintics on pastures) have dramatically worsened flood run-off – as railway floods have demonstrated (along with catastrophic declines in insects, bats, eels, swifts). Is anyone awake at DEFRA – send them the bill !