Those travelling between Swindon and Bristol Parkway can now return to normal services following work completed by Network Rail.

Seven days of work took place in the Chipping Sodbury tunnel area to prevent future flooding and allow services to become more reliable.

They raised 200 metres of track by 20cm on the Bristol side of the tunnel, with adjustments made to the overhead power lines to accommodate this change.

The drainage channels were inspected and cleared, and a pump was replaced, with two more expected to be replaced later this year.

Further work is planned to take place on the 20th July, which will result in a closure between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, with trains diverted via Bath and Chippenham.

This work was part of a bigger scheme to mitigate flooding on the railway and find different solutions. The scheme involves Network Rail working alongside the Environment Agency, South Gloucestershire Council, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and Wessex Water.

Further information and journey planning can be found online.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience as we completed this vital work to help mitigate the impacts of flooding on the railway, which will help us recover services more quickly in future and minimise delays.

“This is the latest piece of our ongoing programme to make the railway more resilient to the elements, and we will continue to work on long-term solutions with our partners.”

Network Rail project manager George Barratt