Network Rail has issued a reminder that for nine days from next Saturday, 27th September, until Sunday, 5th October, train services through Gloucester will be severely disrupted because of work to upgrade the Gloucester signal box.

Originally built in the 1960s, the signal box controls trains through the Gloucester area travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon, and South Wales. Some components of the signal box and its infrastructure now need upgrading to improve their reliability.

Because of the work, during this period, no trains will stop at or travel through Gloucester station, with rail replacement bus services replacing trains at several stations in the region.

Summary of service changes:

Weekends Saturday, 27th and Sunday, 28th September, and Saturday, 4th and Sunday, 5th October.

• No trains between Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, and Lydney.
• No trains between Worcester Foregate Street and Gloucester.
• No trains between Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester to Bristol Parkway.
• No trains between Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester to Kemble (Saturdays) and Swindon (Sundays)

Monday, 29th September to Friday, 3rd October

• No trains between Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, and Lydney.
• No trains between Gloucester and Cam & Dursley.
• No trains between Worcestershire Parkway and Ashchurch for Tewkesbury
• Trains will still run between Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway, and Swindon but will not stop at Gloucester.

This work is completely separate from the work that required suspension of train services between Gloucester and South Wales for three weeks in July and August for landslip remediation work near Lydney.

Ben Perkins, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, commented that all passengers planning to travel through Gloucester from this Saturday should plan their journeys in advance, either with their train operator or using National Rail Enquiries, as buses will replace trains whilst we deliver a significant upgrade of the Gloucester signal box.

“This signalling work is important because these signals control all train movements in and out of Gloucester station as well as the wider area. On weekdays, trains can still operate between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway or Swindon by avoiding Gloucester, but not on weekends. During this period, train operators including GWR, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales will provide rail replacement services for stations affected. As an alternative, valid rail tickets can also be used to travel on local bus services running in the area instead. “It’s important, though, that customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements will make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead.”

Chloe Coglan, GWR station manager for the South Cotswolds