PASSENGERS planning on travelling by train are being warned to brace themselves for further disruption down the line as Network Rail begins a month-long programme of engineering work this weekend.

High-speed services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway are going to be affected by the works, which will see some services diverted via Patchway instead, with passengers forced to continue their journey to Bristol Parkway on a rail replacement bus.

A journey that usually only takes less than half an hour is set to be doubled, with passengers being warned to expect an additional 35 minutes on top of their journeys by rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR).

All journeys between Swindon and Parkway this weekend will be affected by the engineering work, with most services departing earlier from Swindon than usual. The work will continue into next week when trains between London Paddington and South/West Wales will be reduced in frequency and will be diverted between Swindon and Newport, with journey time increases of around 35 minutes.

Most trains will not call at Bristol Parkway, but will call additionally at Patchway. Replacement buses will run between Patchway and Bristol Parkway.

There will also be alterations to late night servies through Swindon, with some trains not calling at Swindon.

The work is planned to run until Friday, September 15.

Both GWR and Network Rail are urging passengers to double check the timing of their services before leaving for the station.

The project will see Network Rail carry out electrification work at the Chipping Sodbury and Alderton tunnels as well as beginning the construction of a new platform at Bristol Parkway to accommodate GWR’s new fleet of Intercity Express Trains to operate.

Network Rail’s major programmes director David Buisson said: “The upgrade between Swindon and Bristol Parkway is vital as we continue to deliver electrification and a more reliable railway for our passengers.

“I’d like to thank residents living near to the railway and passengers for their continued support throughout the modernisation work which forms part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.”

GWR operations director Rob Mullen said: “The work in the Bristol Parkway area is a crucial part of Network Rail’s Great Western mainline upgrade which, with the roll-out our new fleet of Intercity Express Trains, will provide the greatest step-change in experience for our passengers in a generation.

“It is an exciting time with new trains due to enter service in a matter of months. This work is key to delivering the full benefits these new trains will bring.”

Bristol Parkway will remain open throughout, but there will be no trains calling at the station between September 2 and September 15. A full list of service amendments is available here: http://www.GWR.com/BristolParkway2017.

Passengers can check their journeys before travelling at www.nationalrail.co.uk and www.GWR.com