Passengers between South Wales and Bristol reminded to check before travelling over Bank Holiday weekend ahead of follow-up work in Severn Tunnel

Passengers are being urged to check before they travel between South Wales and Bristol over the August Bank Holiday weekend (24-25 August) when Network Rail will be carrying out follow-up work in the Severn Tunnel.

The tunnel was closed between 3-18 July so engineers could replace the entire track on the South Wales-bound side in a £10m project that was delivered on time and on budget.

Now passengers are being reminded that essential follow-up work will be taking place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August.

A special tamping machine will be ­compacting the stone (ballast) on which the track sits within the 7km (4.3 mile) tunnel to keep trains running safely and smoothly.

Teams will also be carrying out essential maintenance to the overhead conductor rail that powers electric trains.

A limited replacement bus service will run, with passengers being encouraged to travel by train via Gloucester. Train services are due to resume on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We recognise there is never a good time to close the Severn Tunnel, but we have planned this essential follow-up work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience – both during the initial 16-day closure of the tunnel and again over the Bank Holiday weekend – and urge them to check their journeys before they travel.”

Network Rail advises all passengers check their journey with National Rail Enquiries or Great Western Railway (GWR) before travelling.