Photo Credit – Andrew Lane
Passengers between Worcester and Hereford are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel ahead of six days of disruption which starts this Sunday (26 January).
West Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway (GWR) services will be affected because of important track upgrade work which takes place between Sunday 26 January and Friday 31 January inclusive.
Network Rail engineers will be working round-the-clock to replace track along this important route to help keep the railway and journeys through the area safe and more reliable for years to come.
The track, which dates back to the 1950’s in some parts, is being replaced along the Ledbury viaduct – a Victorian structure built in 1859-60. Working on a historic bridge like this requires extra care and precautions and specialist machinery. Once complete, passengers should experience faster, smoother, quieter and more reliable train journeys.
While this essential work takes place, buses will replace trains between:
- Worcester Shrub Hill / Worcester Foregate Street and Great Malvern / Hereford
- Birmingham New Street and Longbridge / Redditch / Bromsgrove
Adam Checkley, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “There’s never a good time to close the railway and I am sorry for the disruption caused. This is a major and challenging project to completely replace a large section of track which will help bring smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers for years to come.
“Given the scale and complexity of the track upgrades, a six-day closure is needed to carry out the work safely and in the most cost-effective way.
“With our partners at West Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway, we will keep passengers moving during the work. I want to thank people in advance for their patience and would urge everyone to check before they travel for the latest information.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “We are grateful for our passengers’ patience while Network Rail carries out essential engineering works between Worcester and Hereford for six days, starting Sunday.
“Rail replacement buses will be in place and we are encouraging passengers to check their journey ahead of time. Up-to-date information is available via journey planners and our website.”
Billy White, GWR’s station manager for the North Cotswolds line, said: “This work forms part of an ongoing programme of maintenance, helping to ensure we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services.
“Rail replacement services will be provided for those stations affected between Worcester and Hereford. For those planning ahead, amended timetables for this period have been in place since November.
“It’s important that customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements will make normal journey times longer.”
Passengers should check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest journey information and travel advice.
