FIRST Great Western is encouraging customers travelling this weekend to check journey times and routes prior to travelling as improvements works take place across the Great Western Main Line.

Lines between Didcot Parkway and Swindon are closed this weekend and Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill will be closed on Sunday.

The works will reduce signal failure delays and prepare lines for the installation of overhead equipment, a vital step in electrifying the railway.

The following routes will be affected: London Paddington/Reading to Bath Spa/Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-Super-Mare: services between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads extended by approximately 20 minutes.

London Paddington/Reading to Swindon: rail replacement bus services available.

London Paddington/Reading to Bristol Parkway and South Wales: South Wales routes will alter, extending journey times by 75 minutes.

London Paddington/Reading to Cheltenham: Spa Customers can choose between diverted train services or fast bus services between Swindon and Reading.

London Paddington/Reading to Hereford Customers will be able to travel via Newport.

Swindon to Westbury via Melksham On Saturday only, rail replacement buses will be available.

Customers are advised to check their journeys on www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern