Great Western Railway services will be disrupted this autumn and winter due to planned improvement works between Berkshire and Wiltshire.

Network Rail will be replacing track on the Newbury line and carrying out flood prevention work throughout September, November and December.

The first period of works will impact train services between Newbury and Westbury from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 September:

• Trains will run between London Paddington and the South West using an alternative route via Swindon but journey times will be longer as a result


• Trains will still run between London Paddington/Reading and Newbury

• Replacement buses will operate between Newbury and Bedwyn, and between Pewsey and Swindon

• There will be a reduced train service between Westbury and Swindon with replacement buses operating between Westbury and Chippenham instead

• Further work will impact trains between Theale and Westbury (Monday 11 to Thursday 14 November), then between Newbury and Westbury (Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 December).

Mark Parker, South Rail Systems Alliance and Network Rail’s lead portfolio manager, said: "We'd like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this essential track upgrade in the Newbury area.

"Once complete, this vital work will enable continued safe and reliable services to run on this popular route for years to come."