Network Rail is asking passengers travelling through Gloucestershire over the next two weekends to check before setting off, as rail improvement work takes place.

The line will close temporarily while engineers install new rails and equipment, and carry out drainage upgrades to boost reliability and resilience.

Construction of Charfield station continues, alongside further improvements at Cheltenham Spa and Kemble.

On 11 to 12 and 18 to 19 April, buses will replace some Great Western Railway services between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway, Gloucester and Stroud (Saturdays), and Gloucester and Swindon (Sundays).

CrossCountry trains will run via an alternative route, stopping at Gloucester and Newport, with services also operating between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa.

“We’ll be working non-stop over the next two weekends to complete this essential work to improve journeys for passengers throughout Gloucestershire.

“If you’re planning to travel by rail, please make sure to plan ahead as some journeys will be altered with bus replacement services on some routes.”

Mark Parker, Network Rail lead portfolio manager.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause but the work planned will help to maintain train services across Gloucestershire for years to come. Trains between Cheltenham Spa or Gloucester and London Paddington will start or terminate at Stroud on Saturdays, but these won’t run on Sundays. To help customer to complete their journeys, replacement road transport will be provided for those stations affected on both weekends. It’s important customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements may make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead.”

Chloe Coglan, GWR’s station Manager for Cheltenham and Gloucester.