THERE will be no trains running to or through Swindon this weekend.

The rails will b silent for 48 hours over Saturday and Sunday while Network Rail carries out signalling works around Swindon, closing the line to all trains.

Great Western Railway services will be replaced by buses to Didcot, Kemble, Chippenham and Bristol Parkway, running to an amended timetable. GWR is advising all passengers to check the timings of their services before they leave for the station.

During the disruption Network Rail will be installing and testing a new signalling system which will replace equipment dating from the 1960s and 70s. This, they say, will pave the way for greater reliability and fewer delays for passengers and is necessary for the arrival of the new electric trains expected from 2017.

Around 250 members of Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ will be working along 80 miles of railway over the weekend, with testing of the new signalling system being carried out before control of the railway moves from the mechanical signal box at Swindon to the state-of-the-art Thames Valley signalling centre in Didcot early next year.

Network Rail said that all signal workers who used to work at the Swindon signal box have been moved into other signalling roles, predominantly at the Thames Valley signalling centre.

Paddy Gregg, Network Rail’s signalling project director for the Western and Wales routes, said: “This project forms part of our programme to re-signal the whole of the Great Western route, providing passengers with greater reliability, fewer delays and smoother journeys.

“Our work to increase reliability, together with the ability of the new electric trains to reduce journey times and accommodate more passengers, will also help to drive economic growth across the Thames Valley, west and south west England.”

The work taking place over the weekend of 21 and 22 November is the second stage of the Swindon re-signalling project, which has already seen the installation of more than 700km of signalling and power cables.

Chairman of the West Wiltshire Rail Users Group Roger Newman said the signalling works formed a vital part of the electrification programme which would see high-speed electric trains arrive in the region.

He said: “To electrify a mainline is a major project and it is not just about putting up electric wires, but all of the signalling equipment as well.

“The signalling along the line is the best part of 50 years old and its life is expiring. Much of the signalling equipment is underground – not above ground as many people would think, so this work can only be done when there are no trains running.”

The third and final stages of the Swindon re-signalling project will take place early next year, the details of which will be provided later this year.

All passengers are advised to check travel information before leaving by visiting www.gwr.com.