North Cotswolds Line Improvements
A Better Railway for the North Cotswolds
Network Rail and First Great Western are investing in your railway network to sustain improved punctuality, provide extra capacity for more trains, and reduce the impact of delays.
We’re going to convert 20 miles of the Cotswold line to a double track railway, making it easier for trains to pass each other and freeing up capacity on the line.
The railway line will be open for the vast majority of the year, with sections only closed to deliver the following key milestones and customer benefits.
Whenever your trains are affected First Great Western will be providing alternative transport to make sure you can still get to where you need to go.
Key Milestones
- Completed summer 2009: Double track laid in Chipping Camden Tunnel
- Summer 2010: Preparatory work on track
- Autumn 2010: Honeybourne bridge replaced, signalling works at Littleton and Badsey
- Winter 2010: New double track laid, work on at night to minimise disruption
- Winter 2010: New platforms at Charlbury, Ascott and Honeybourne
- Spring 2011: Stage 1 complete – Charlbury to Ascott-under-wychwood
- Summer 2011: Stage 2 complete – Moreton-in-Marsh to Evesham
- Autumn 2011: Project Closure
What benefits will this work bring?
- Double track to increase capacity
- New platforms and footbridges at Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood and Honeybourne
- Digital passenger information systems at stations
- Better passenger waiting shelters
- Improved station lighting
- Bicycle racks at stations
Timetable alterations
During the improvement works, the following rail replacement services will operate (subject to change):
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October 2010
Coaches will replace trains between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Shrub Hill
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 October 2010
Coaches will replace trains between Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham
Monday 15 to Thursday 18 November 2010
2148 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill to TERMINATE at Oxford with replacement road transport forward
2153 Hereford to Paddington NOT TO OPERATE between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford with a replacement road transport service running between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford only
Monday 13 December 2010 to Friday 20 May 2011**
2020 Paddington to Great Malvern: to TERMINATE at Oxford with replacement road transport forward
2148 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill : to TERMINATE at Oxford with replacement road transport forward
2059 Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington : to DIVERT to Swindon via Cheltenham with road transport Worcester Shrub Hill to Oxford and an additional train service operating between Oxford to Paddington
2153 Hereford to Paddington : NOT TO OPERATE between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford with a replacement road transport service running between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford only
2154 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa : Extend to Worcester Shrub Hill
**Will not apply from Monday 27 December until Friday 31 December 2010 and on Monday 3 January 2011
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