Passengers travelling between Worcester and Hereford are being urged to plan ahead this week as Network Rail undertakes a five-day programme of engineering work designed to improve reliability and resilience on the route.
From Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October, engineers will carry out a range of track and infrastructure upgrades between Worcester and Hereford as part of a coordinated programme aimed at maintaining safe and dependable rail services across the corridor.
The work will include the renewal of 100 metres of track between Henwick and Newlands level crossing, track improvements at Ledbury, and additional maintenance activities between Worcester Foregate Street and Ledbury.
Alongside the track renewals, teams will strengthen drainage systems ahead of the autumn and winter period, undertake vegetation management, and replace signalling equipment near Newlands level crossing. Network Rail says the investment will help improve operational performance while providing smoother journeys for passengers.
Rail services will be amended throughout the engineering programme, with replacement bus services operating on affected sections of the route. Normal train services are expected to resume on Saturday 31 October 2026.
Adam Checkley, engineering director for Network Rail’s Central route, said:
“We know there is never a good time to close the railway, so we’re making the most of these five days to complete a wide range of essential improvements.”
“By carrying out this work together during the half-term break, our teams can renew and maintain important parts of the railway while helping to keep services safe and reliable for years to come.
“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and urge anyone travelling between Worcester and Hereford to check their journey before travel and allow extra time.”
GWR services continue with amended arrangements
Great Western Railway has confirmed that services between Worcester Shrub Hill and London Paddington via Oxford will continue to operate, with some trains extending to Worcester Foregate Street. Services between Worcester and Bristol Temple Meads via Gloucester will also remain available.
However, replacement road transport will operate between Hereford, Great Malvern and Worcester Shrub Hill, resulting in longer journey times.
Billy White, GWR's station manager for Oxford and the North Cotswolds, said:
“This important investment in rail improvements will enable us to maintain services for the communities we serve in the Herford and Worcester areas for year to come.
“GWR trains can still run between Worcester Shrub Hill and London Paddington via Oxford, with some extending to Worcester Foregate Street, plus our services for Bristol Temple Meads via Gloucester.
“Replacement road transport is planned between Hereford, Great Malvern and Worcester Shrub Hill, making journey times longer than usual as a result, so please plan ahead.”
West Midlands Railway passengers advised to check before travelling
West Midlands Railway customers will also face service alterations during the engineering programme, with amended services operating between Birmingham and Worcester and replacement transport connecting passengers with Hereford and Great Malvern.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said:
“We thank our passengers for their patience while Network Rail carries out these essential track improvement works. An amended service will be in place between Birmingham and Worcester, with rail replacement in operation to connect customers with Hereford and Great Malvern. Customers are encouraged to check before they travel and to leave extra time for their journeys.”
Passengers are advised to check journey planners before travelling and allow additional time to complete their journeys while the works are underway.
Image credit: Network Rail
