New train timetable adds services and more seats

GWR is introducing new routes and adding carriages to key journeys

Train operator Great Western Railway has announced new routes and more carriages to key routes.

As part of their December timetable change, the train operator is introducing more direct services between Bristol and Oxford.

The two round-trips will depart on Saturdays at 10:18 GMT and 15:18 GMT from Bristol Temple Meads and the return trains depart at 12:02 and 17:12 from Oxford.

GWR has also made changes to its services in South Wales, re-timing some by up to 11 minutes arriving into Cardiff.

GWR will also increase the number of carriages on some early Sunday morning trains on key routes.

Nine or ten carriage trains will replace five carriages trains on some services from Cheltenham to London Paddington and from Great Malvern to London Paddington.

The journey time on services between Bristol and Weymouth have been reduced by 17 minutes.

A new, direct service between Cheltenham and Bristol is also to be introduced on Saturdays at 08:46 GMT.

The train will provide a direct link from Cheltenham to Chippenham and Bath, while also helping to alleviate demand on the later 08:59 service from Cheltenham to London.

The new timetable starts on Sunday 15 December for Sunday services and from Monday 16 December for weekday services.