Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester
Due to a points failure between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until 07:00 09/06.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
The points are not working correctly. Points are the moving pieces of metal which enable trains to change tracks.

Change at Gloucester/Cheltenham eh? Not today you couldn't - XC are very limited service owing to no Sunday drivers on that route!

Travel warning as 11 day Severn Tunnel works start

People using the railway network around the West of England are being warned of disruption as "vital" work to the Severn Tunnel's overhead power lines is due to start.

The tunnel, which links England and Wales, will be closed from Monday 9 June for 11 days, until 20 June, with reduced train services in place.

Trains between London and South Wales will stop at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway and replacement buses are planned to operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport, as well as Cardiff Central.

A limited train service will still run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway.

Rail passengers travelling between Bristol and South Wales are being advised to change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa, where trains will still be running.

Network Rail programme director Ross Mahoney said: "All of this work is vital to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway."

Engineers will be carrying out work to the overhead lines, which power trains through the Severn Tunnel, and where track was replaced last summer, Network Rail said.

It will also be working to replace track, sleepers and stone in the Stoke Gifford area, as well as renewing points in Filton.

While the line is closed, vegetation will also be cleared from the Severn Beach area of South Gloucestershire.

The same work, focused on South Gloucestershire and the Severn Tunnel, will take place on 29 June until about 16:00 BST, with train services impacted in a similar way.

Network Rail is also warning that on 15 June replacement buses are planned between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.

GWR trains will run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway, as well as between Newport and Swansea or Carmarthen.

Only very recently, I said

"I have no problem with crossing a properly built UK bridge, but would be reluctant to cross the improvised looking suspension bridges that are common overseas.
I would certainly avoid bridges with a glass deck as have recently become popular, and I avoided the glass floor at Paddington station.
Waterloo bridge made me a bit nervous in extreme high winds, because the railings looked too low, and I had a fear of being blown over the railings and into the water to a certain death. I took care to only use the upwind walkway in extreme weather, or to take a taxi.
I once knew someone with a phobia about crossing the Thames or any other large body of water by bridge, that was understandable as they had survived an oil rig disaster.

I have a slight fear of deep tunnels under water, lest they suddenly flood. The SEVERN TUNNEL is the worst due to the vast amount of water that enters and the requirement for continual pumping.
Not very keen on the older tube tunnels under the Thames either.
No problem with the channel tunnel as it is newer and well built."

Structurally completed during 1885, the first passenger train was run through the tunnel on 1 December 1886, nearly 14 years after the commencement of work.

Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central
Following a broken down train earlier today between Pilning and Severn Tunnel Jn the line will be reopened shortly. Disruption is expected until 11:00 15/08.
Train services between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled or delayed.

Journeycheck was showing disruption until 8am, now extended to 10am

11:23 Swansea to London Paddington due 14:14

11:23 Swansea to London Paddington due 14:14 will be starting late from Swansea.
This is due to a broken down train.

Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central

Due to a broken down train between Pilning and Severn Tunnel Jn some lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 08:00 15/08.

Train services between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central may be cancelled or delayed.

Customer Advice

We're sorry for the delay to your journey.

A freight train has broken down in the Severn Tunnel blocking one of the two lines. While arrangements are being made for an engineer to attend to fix the train we are able to use the other line, but this means we have to run a reduced service.

We will update this message with more information when we have it.

Well - we are SUPPOSED to be in lockdown, only travelling to work if we cannot work from home or for essential shopping or exercise, though from seeing some of the pictures at places like the Whitehall Garden Centre and reading what is reported

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/parking-issues-and-safety-fears-as-thousands-visit-whitehall-garden-centre/

Wiltshire Council has successfully implemented a COVID Direction Order after it required a local business to make a number of improvements to ensure it can operate safely and protect public health.
 
Whitehall Garden Centre in Lacock was issued with a COVID Direction Order and had to take actions to comply with restrictions to help prevent COVID-19 transmissions within the county.
 
The centre took necessary steps to improve their systems to achieve the public health requirement and manage the risk to Wiltshire residents by ensuring appropriate measures were in place.

The centre was issued with the directions, issued under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 on Monday 30 November.  This directed the management of the garden centre to comply with a number of directions, including review car parking arrangements, implement more measures to ensure customers can visit in a COVID secure way such as an improved queuing system, floor markings and one-way system; increase staff training and much more careful monitoring of customer numbers on the premises.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/network-rails-new-road-rail-4722515

Also if any one is at home at 10:00am on Monday on BBC1 its about a house/home at Sudbrook

Dozens of locals have raised concerns over the vast number of people visiting Whitehall Garden Centre near Chippenham over the weekend.

Visitors have been accused of ignoring the government?s current restrictions, but rules do permit people to visit shops open to the public ? including garden centres.

Despite the centre putting in place the required precautions and following the COVID-secure guidelines, it hasn?t stopped families eager to view the Christmas display from flocking there.

Throughout the weekend, dozens of vehicles were parked along Corsham Road and other nearby streets, some parked illegally on junctions and blocking assess to farmers? fields.

Families ? some with small children and pushchairs ? could be seen walking up and down the road which has a national speed limit (60mph).

?It?s not our fault that a large amount of people tried to visit us today?, the firm?s marketing manager Charlotte Self said, commenting on yesterday?s parking concerns.

Adding that the centre has ?restricted the number of people allowed in? at any one time.

Miss Self told local residents ?we?re trying our best?, mentioning that closing the establishment unnecessarily would mean they ?couldn?t support their 180 staff?.

To reduce the spread of coronavirus, Whitehall Garden Centre has placed sanitising stations throughout and completely restructured the farm shop and checkout areas.

Yes I know that, but how likely is it that they will keep to that? I've planned trips in similar circumstances and found late changes have meant buses have replaced the train I had hoped to use.

However, it is notable that this is the one Sunday missing from a long list, so there is presumably a reason for that. Does anyone know what that might be?

6th Ooctober is not in that list, normal service

As it happens, I have to travel from Bath to Newport on Sunday October 6th. Looking at that list, I seem to have struck very lucky in having the only Sunday without bustitution, but how likely is it that trains will actually run when that weekend finally arrives?

On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July, buses will replace trains between Bristol Parkway station and Cardiff Central station as engineers will work around the clock on the railway to continue installing the overhead line equipment.

Further work is planned on weekends throughout the summer and autumn months with buses replacing trains on the following dates:

Sunday 25 August (until 14:00, when coaches replace trains between Bristol Parkway and Newport instead)
Sunday 8 September (until 14:00)
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September
Sunday 22 September (until 14:00)
Sunday 29 September (until 14:00)
Sunday 13 October (until 14:00)
Sunday 20 October (until 14:00)

Earthing straps intended for 25 years but decaying after 4.  Expert suggests that a compromise solution is available in running the trains on diesel for 6 or 7 km.  "You would not notice" switch from electric to diesel, and you'll still get electric trains in Cardiff.   However, it's said that Network Rail are also looking for alternatives.

It's possible not helped by the fact that the contact system has been bonded out for the last 4 years allowing circulating currents caused by the electrolysis to flow.

Presumably the damp and corrosive atmosphere in the tunnel was not known about in advance, and could not have been found by prior inspection ?

It is quite likely that there has been a higher level of electrolytic action between the dissimilar metals, zinc, stainless steel, aluminium than expected causing the damage.  Its possible not helped by the fact that the contact system has been bonded out for the last 4 years allowing circulating currents caused by the electrolysis to flow.

However. it has emerged that recently-installed earthing straps connected to the overhead conductor rails inside the tunnel are already breaking down. Network Rail had estimated that they would be all right for 25 years.

Earth straps - a safety feature on the overhead connectors holding up the power line - were corroding in the salt water environment within months when they are supposed to have a 25-year lifespan, meaning the line through the tunnel could not be electrified safely.
Media captionInside the four-mile-long underwater Severn Tunnel

It means the electrification system within the brickwork tunnel - the longest underwater tunnel in the world for more than 100 years after it opened in 1886 - struggles to maintain voltage and regularly trips.

Network Rail contracted experts from Swiss company Furrer and Frey, specialists in developing power cables inside tunnels, to design a solution but none have so far worked in the salty climate.

Could you please post a link?  Thanks.

Quicker journeys promised as engineering work set to continue this Easter

Wednesday 10th April 2019
Rail engineering work continues this Easter as Network Rail carries out vital electrification works in the Severn Tunnel.

The work, which when complete will enable passengers to experience the full benefits of new Intercity Express Trains, will also see a new accessible footbridge provided at Patchway Station.

With the railway line closed to train services between Bristol Parkway and Newport, trains will run to an amended timetable from Good Friday, Friday 19, to Easter Monday, Monday 22 April, and bus replacement services provided where trains are unable to operate.

trains between London Paddington and South Wales will terminate at Bristol Parkway and restart from Newport with replacement road transport in between

trains from Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central will terminate at Bristol Parkway instead; trains from Taunton to Cardiff Central will terminate at Bristol Temple Meads

replacement buses and coaches will operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport, with some calling additionally at Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction

Further work is planned in the Severn tunnel on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April, when trains between London Paddington and South Wales will be diverted via an alternate route.

Replacement road transport will still operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport, with some buses calling additionally at Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction

Is it the intention that the Y Cymro power car(s) will always form the 0728 from Swansea? Doesn't that make it rather restrictive for GWR? They already have the challenge of keeping the green sets together. I'd have thought it must make the maintenance schedule something of a nightmare.

the artwork on the side of the HST is essentially identical to the logo of the Welsh Government with a different curl of the tail added.

Interesting that they were accepting airline boarding passes on the trains - this and the mention of the flight times in the above press release suggest to me that FGW are more concerned about the LCY flights than I and others on here had previously thought.

GWR clearly on the offensive to the threat from the air route to/from London City.  Massive problems at the airport this evening though with an evacuation, 26 people needing emergency treatment and two people hospitalised.  GWR accepting paper and electronic boarding passes this evening.

Newly named 500 seat train to mark re-opening of Seven Tunnel - Y Cymro - The Welshman - to start this Monday
 
Great Western Railway is to launch The Welshman this Monday, one of 59 daily train services between Cardiff and London Paddington, to mark the re-opening of the Severn Tunnel.
 
Taking the number of direct daily services from Cardiff to London Paddington back to 29 a day, the 0728 service from Swansea will be named Y Cymro – The Welshman.
 
It joins three other named week day services between London Paddington and South Wales: The Red Dragon; St David and The Capitals United.
 
Helping to provide over 30,000 seats a day between south Wales and London Paddington, the service will take 2 hours and 07 minutes from Cardiff – just seven minutes more than the minimum check-in time advised by airports.

The service calls at Cardiff at 0825 before making its way towards London for arrival into Paddington at 1032.
 
The tunnel is to re-open on Saturday 22 October, after its six-week closure for Network Rail electrification works.
 
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “With a large number of passengers travelling by train between Cardiff and London Paddington, it is clear that rail remains the most convenient way to travel. And this Saturday journeys will be quicker again, taking a little over two hours after the six-week closure of Severn Tunnel; and at the same lead in Advance Single Fare price of just £18.00.
 
“I appreciate how disruptive this work may have been for some and I would like to thank them for your patience during the last six weeks. The vital work will modernise the railway between South Wales and London which, once complete, will enable us to deliver more frequent services, more seats, and to reduce journey times."
 
During the work Network Rail installed overhead lines to power GWR’s new Intercity Express Trains (IETs).
 
The new IETs will begin to enter service on selected routes from next summer, with Network Rail expected to complete electrification of the line between London Paddington to Cardiff by 2019. Once complete South Wales customers will experience quicker journey times, up to 21 minutes between Swansea and London Paddington, and more seats – up to a 25% increase in seats per train compared to existing High Speed Trains.
 
Alongside Y Cymro, The Welshman, there are 58 trains a day operating between Cardiff and London Paddington, each providing over 500 seats.
 
Some 32 train services a day operated during the Severn Tunnel work
 
Advance single tickets are available from £18.00 from Cardiff Central to London Paddington, without the need to pay extra for reservations or for more than one bag.
 
Named trains to/from Wales
 
The Capital United
 
·         0558 Swansea to London Paddington (Monday to Friday)
·         1645 London Paddington to Swansea (Monday to Friday)
 
The Capitals United Operates between London Paddington, Cardiff Central and Swansea. The name was originally used between 1956 and 1963 by British Railways and has been reintroduced by GWR to highlight the continuing importance of the rail link between the capitals of England and Wales
 
The Red Dragon
 
·         0730 Carmarthen to London Paddington (Monday to Friday)
·         1715 London Paddington to Carmarthen (Monday to Friday)
 
The Red Dragon runs between London Paddington and Carmarthen, and is named after the mythical Red Dragon (known in Welsh as Y Ddraig Goch) that appears on the Welsh national flag. Although the flag was only granted official status in 1959, it is claimed to be the oldest national flag still in use, although the origins are now lost in history and myth.
 
The St David
 
·         0745 London Paddington to Swansea (Monday to Friday)
·         1128 Swansea to London Paddington (Monday to Friday)
 
The St David operates between Swansea and London Paddington and is named after the patron saint of Wales (in Welsh, Dewi Sant). St David was born sometime between 462 and 512 and was officially recognised as the patron saint of Wales in 1120.
 

More trains set to stop at Severn Tunnel

Trains now stop at a Monmouthshire train station on Sunday mornings after an action group persuaded a rail company it was worth collecting passengers there.

Passengers will be picked up at Severn Tunnel Junction on its way to Cardiff at 9.08am, 10.08am and 11.11am. Before the changes, no Cardiff-bound trains stopped at Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot or Chepstow stations before 11.20am.

First Great Western decided to make the change after meeting last year with representatives from STAG (Severn Tunnel Action Group) and MAGOR (Magor Action Group On Rail), Newport East MP Jessica Morden, and Monmouthshire councillors Bryan Jones and David Dovey. Cllr Jones is the cabinet member for operations, while Cllr Dovey is the chairman of the council^s transport strategy group.

STAG^s chairman, David Flint, said: ^It is something we have tried for for a long, long time and thanks to Jessica Morden, who got involved, and the county councillors we were able to convince First Great Western. It is another pleasing thing in trying to get Severn Tunnel Junction up to the level it deserves.^

According to the Office of Rail Regulation, since 2005-6, passengers^ use of Severn Tunnel Junction grew by 80 per cent.

Travel information for Rugby League World Cup

With just days to go before the Rugby League World Cup First Great Western is advising customers to check before they travel, as Network Rail carry out essential engineering work in the Severn Tunnel.

The railway between Bristol and Newport will be closed on Saturday 26 October and Sunday 27 October for the essential improvement works. Network Rail will be renewing two miles of life-expired track in Severn tunnel and a junction at Patchway, which will significantly improve the reliability of rail services between Bristol and Newport.

Trains from London will be diverted between Swindon and Newport towards Cardiff and journey times will be extended by up to an hour.

Rail replacement bus services will be in operation between Bristol Parkway and Newport.

Services between Bristol and South Wales

Trains between the South West, Soach Coast and Bristol Temple Meads to and from Cardiff Central will start and terminate at Bristol Parkway for bus connections.

Travelling to and from Bristol Parkway

A limited number of services will link London Paddington and Bristol Parkway. Frequent connections are also available from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway. From South Wales change at Newport for bus services.

Travelling to and from Patchway and Pilning

Rail replacement bus services will link these stations with Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway for onward train connections.

I have a degree of sympathy with Carwyn Jones on the subject. It's not often that a city gets to host the Opening Ceremony of a World Cup of any description, and it will have been in the diary for over a year.

First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises rail works timing


The Severn Tunnel will be closed to trains in and out of south Wales for the Rugby League World Cup and Womex weekend

The first minister has criticised Network Rail over the closure of the Severn Tunnel during two major events in Cardiff.

The tunnel will close for maintenance work on the same weekend as the opening ceremony for the Rugby League World Cup, and the Womex music festival.

Speaking to BBC's Sunday Politics Wales programme, Carwyn Jones said Network Rail had not consulted the Welsh government over the closure.

Network Rail said it was vital work.

But Mr Jones said: "They've got form on this. It's an important point here - when we've got events in Cardiff, why do maintenance work on the Severn Tunnel when those events are taking place? If there were events taking place every single week in the Millennium Centre, the Millennium Stadium or the [Cardiff] City Stadium, you might say 'okay, there are some weekends when that's inevitable' but for some reason they choose weekends when there are big events taking place in Cardiff."

The Severn Tunnel - which runs under the River Severn on the south Wales-London mainline - will be closed for maintenance on the weekend of 26-27 October - the same weekend as the Rugby League World Cup opening ceremony at the Millennium Stadium and Womex world music festival at the Millennium Centre.

Mr Jones believes the closures will cause travel problems, having a negative impact on the world-wide image of Wales. He said a similar closure in 1999 caused problems for fans travelling to and from the Wales v England rugby international at Wembley Stadium in London.

Mr Jones added that he recognised the need for maintenance and regretted that an alternative rail route was not considered when the second Severn bridge was built.

"The big problem is of course that a rail deck wasn't put on the Severn Bridge in 1993 - other countries would have done that - and we wouldn't have these problems with the Severn Tunnel," said the first minister. "Yes it needs maintenance. It's a very wet tunnel [I know] having been through there in a cab of a 125 [train], but let's do it when there's not a big game on in Cardiff."

In a statement Network Rail told Sunday Politics Wales: "There is never a good time to do work on the Severn Tunnel and we thoroughly investigated the Welsh government's request. In this instance, this six-week works package was planned two years in advance and had already been put back a week to accommodate the one-day cricket match between England and Australia in September. This vital project cannot be put back any further and to cancel it would have a negative impact on services from south Wales to London."

Network Rail added it had assured the organisers of the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup that it would not schedule any disruptive work during the period the tournament was on at the Millennium Stadium.

Whosr responsibility would it have been to have shewn the cancellation on the CIS screens ?  The 13 30 Cardiff to Portsmouth was the only train that caused problems by people being stranded unnecessarily.

TRUST.   The CIS showed the train running in Time but it didn't turn up.

TRUST.   The CIS showed the train running in Time but it didn't turn up.

But FGW failed to update the system.

This problem seems quite common when there is disruption between Cardiff and Bristol.
As a regular passenger on that route, I know that if my train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff is delayed then it is often better for me to get a local service to Bristol Parkway and then a HST from there to Cardiff (and the same in reverse). Most people don't realise that. I will say that at least twice there have been announcements at Bristol Temple Meads advising people to do exactly that. I have never hard any announcements at Cardiff for the reverse.

Passengers intending to catch the 13 30 Cardiff to Portsmouth Hbr could have caught the 13 25 departure (ex Swansea) to Paddington to Bristol Parkway for forward connections to Bristol Temple Meads and beyond if theyhad been aware and FGW had done something about it.   In the past, I have known the xx25 departures from Cardiff to be held until XX30 to convey any xx30 pasdsengers especially if it has turned round at Cardiff.   The more I think about it, the more disgusted I am eith FGWs response to the failure and their Customer Service.

Do FGW have much staff at Newport Cardiff

In my opinion  it is a bit unfair to blame the whole affair on FGW when some fault lies with ATW since Newport station is managed by them and the staff are employee's of ATW.

It could be the case that no information was given to the ATW staff by FGW

This message was sent to FGW Website, Journeycheck, National Rail and ATW at 12:06. If operators dont action / check then incorrect info is displayed/given on the ground

UPDATED  3  CORE MSG (CSL2 ACTIVATED)-RED: A broken down train Newport South Wales - Bris...  06/08/12 12:06  
 Owing to a broken down train between Newport South Wales and Bristol Parkway some lines are affected.

Impact:
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 45 mins at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.

Customer Advice:
Due to the failed freight train at the English side of Severn Tunnel the following alterations will take place :-
Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour services will not run between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads.
Cardiff Central to Taunton services will not run between Cardiff Central and Filton Abbey Wood but will divert to Bristol Parkway upon departure from Filton Abbey Wood to start/terminate.
Paddington to Cardiff Central & Swansea HST services will run throughout in both directions.
Limited road transport will operate where possible.

Passengers intending to catch the 13 30 Cardiff to Portsmouth Hbr could have caught the 13 25 departure (ex Swansea) to Paddington to Bristol Parkway for forward connections to Bristol Temple Meads and beyond if theyhad been aware and FGW had done something about it.   In the past, I have known the xx25 departures from Cardiff to be held until XX30 to convey any xx30 pasdsengers especially if it has turned round at Cardiff.   The more I think about it, the more disgusted I am eith FGWs response to the failure and their Customer Service.

Broken down freight train removed from Severn Tunnel

A freight train has been removed after it broke down in the Severn Tunnel, affecting passenger services between south Wales, Bristol and London.

Network Rail said the stranded train was taken away by freight firm DB Schenker at 13:25 BST on Monday.

A total of 26 passenger services were affected by the delay.

The Severn Tunnel rail link joins south Wales and England, and about 200 trains pass through it every day.

Network Rail said all the delayed trains had now travelled through the Severn Tunnel apart from one service which faced a short delay after joining the earlier backlog.

The freight train had broken down around a quarter of a mile from the "portal" of the Severn Tunnel on the English side.

All services between south Wales, Bristol, Taunton and London Paddington were affected.

I preume that "slightly overloaded" means "slightly out of gauge"?

Seems that 6V81 which passed through the Tunnel on tuesday morning had a slightly overloaded wagon towards the rear of the train.