RAIL passengers have been warned of weekend delays while the line at Swindon is upgraded.

Network Rail engineers have been busy working on the line through the town as part of the electrification of the Great Western Main Line.

But this means weekend services are being cancelled while overhead lines and gantries are installed and replaced by bus links.

Dean Shaw, media relations manager at Network Rail, said: “The community of Swindon will benefit from the new railway as there will be more allocation of capacity for passengers, which will have more seats compared to a diesel train but still remain the same length. This will also benefit commuters coming into Swindon as well.

“We have already electrified the railway to Didcot Parkway and we are now working on the section between there and the outskirts of Royal Wootton Bassett, through Swindon.

“On weekends, between March and May 2018, the railway line in this area will be closed while we install electrification equipment.”

Some services are already running on electric power between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway.

Once complete, Network Rail says electrification will provide passengers from Swindon with more frequent services, quicker journeys and increased capacity.

There will be other additions to the railway with 'station enhancement works' and a new track between Cheney Manor Industrial Estate and Swindon station.

According to Network Rail the electric-powered trains will be better for the environment with carbon emissions being 20 to 35 per cent lower than those from diesel trains. It will also mean less maintenance is needed as electric trains cause less wear to the track.

The rail works will take place over four weekends starting in March and ending May 29. This will mean rail services will be replaced by bus services running on an amended timetable.

The next weekend of rail work will begin April 14 and should finish April 16.

Passengers are reminded to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling during the upgrade work.