Most Great Western Railway (GWR) services will run as normal over the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend, although passengers travelling through parts of the South West should expect alterations as Network Rail delivers essential infrastructure upgrades.
Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, engineers will install new track at East Somerset Junction near Frome—an upgrade designed to improve long‑term reliability and deliver smoother journeys. All work is scheduled for completion in time for full services to resume from the start of service on Easter Monday (6 April).
During the temporary closure, Network Rail teams will also use the opportunity to conduct signal and track maintenance, along with vital vegetation management across the affected corridor.
Train Service Changes Over Easter
To keep passengers moving while the works are underway:
- Long‑distance trains between London Paddington and Plymouth or Penzance will divert between Reading and Taunton, with some services calling at Swindon.
- Services between Reading and Bedwyn will continue to operate, though Pewsey station will not be served.
- Additional GWR services will run between Weymouth and Castle Cary and between Bristol Temple Meads and Westbury after 6pm on Good Friday.
- Replacement road transport will operate between Westbury and Castle Cary, Castle Cary and Taunton, and Pewsey and Swindon.
Mark Parker, Lead Portfolio Manager for Network Rail, said:
“Most of the Western route will be open as usual this Easter, but we do have some important upgrades to carry out which will affect passengers on some routes.
“To keep people moving while this work takes place, replacement buses will be running on some routes, and journeys may take a little longer than normal as a result.
Jordan Welsby, GWR’s Station Manager for the Westbury area, reinforced the message:
“This track upgrade work will impact all train services that normally run via Castle Cary from 1800 on Good Friday through to Easter Sunday.
“Trains will continue to operate between London Paddington and Plymouth or Penzance by using an alternative route via Swindon instead.
“Trains will still run between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour via Westbury, plus between Castle Cary and Weymouth, as well as between Bedwyn and Reading.
“Replacement road transport will be provided between Westbury and Castle Cary, plus between Castle Cary and Taunton, as well as between Pewsey and Swindon.
“It’s important that customers are aware that these alternative travel arrangements could make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead.”
With large numbers expected to travel across the Western route this Easter, industry leaders are urging passengers to plan ahead and check before travelling to avoid disruption.
Image credit: iStock
