Travel warning as 11 day Severn Tunnel works start

Trains between Swindon and Newport will stop at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway

People using the railway network around the West of England are being warned of disruption as "vital" work to the Severn Tunnel's overhead power lines is due to start.

The tunnel, which links England and Wales, will be closed from Monday 9 June for 11 days, until 20 June, with reduced train services in place.

Trains between London and South Wales will stop at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway and replacement buses are planned to operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport, as well as Cardiff Central.

A limited train service will still run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway.

Rail passengers travelling between Bristol and South Wales are being advised to change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa, where trains will still be running.

Network Rail programme director Ross Mahoney said: "All of this work is vital to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway."

Engineers will be carrying out work to the overhead lines, which power trains through the Severn Tunnel, and where track was replaced last summer, Network Rail said.

It will also be working to replace track, sleepers and stone in the Stoke Gifford area, as well as renewing points in Filton.

While the line is closed, vegetation will also be cleared from the Severn Beach area of South Gloucestershire.

The same work, focused on South Gloucestershire and the Severn Tunnel, will take place on 29 June until about 16:00 BST, with train services impacted in a similar way.

Network Rail is also warning that on 15 June replacement buses are planned between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.

GWR trains will run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway, as well as between Newport and Swansea or Carmarthen.