Severn Tunnel Railway Gets Major Makeover With Three Week Closure For Essential Upgrades, Here’s what You Should Know Now

Published on July 22, 2025

From Sunday July 27 to Sunday August 17 the line between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction will be closed for essential engineering works. It’s part of the wider Severn Estuary Resilience Programme aimed at making the railway in an area known for extreme weather, flooding and coastal erosion even safer, more reliable and more resilient. Due to critical track and drainage work being part of this closure and passengers should expect disruption and use replacement bus services during the closure.

The Severn Estuary, which is a strategic location for the UK’s rail network, frequently experiences difficulties from erosion, landslips and adverse weather. Such risks are applied to the infrastructure of the area and it is presumed that such resiliency works are required in order to maintain the possibilities of operating any of the area’s rail services in the future. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming works and how they will affect your travels.

Key Engineering Works During the Closure

The engineering work planned for the three-week closure focuses on several critical areas of improvement:

1. Track Renewal and Drainage Support Near Newnham Tunnel:
   One of the primary tasks is the renewal of the track and upgrades to the drainage system around Newnham Tunnel, which has been vulnerable to flooding in the past. By improving the drainage and renewing the track, these upgrades aim to reduce disruptions caused by waterlogging, ensuring smoother, safer journeys in the future.
2. Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control:
   The Severn Estuary Resilience Programme will focus on stabilizing the slopes alongside the tracks. Engineers will install more than 7,000 rock anchors to provide support and 32,000 square meters of netting to prevent debris from falling onto the tracks. These measures are critical in preventing landslides and debris accumulation, both of which have historically caused delays and even derailments in the area.
3. Vegetation Management and Station Upgrades:
   At Chepstow and Lydney stations, vegetation management will be undertaken to clear any overgrowth that might obstruct tracks, signage, or safety equipment. This work also involves removing litter and improving the overall station environment, contributing to a cleaner, safer experience for passengers and staff.
4. Improvements to Signalling Systems:
   The planned upgrades to signalling systems as part of the Gloucester Area Signalling Project (GASP) will increase operational efficiency and enable better communication between operators. These upgrades are a key part of ensuring the long-term reliability of the rail services that rely on this line.

Replacement Bus Services: How to Travel During the Closure

While no trains will run on the affected section of the railway, replacement buses will be in service for the duration of the closure, ensuring that passengers can still travel between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction.

• Route Details:
  • Buses will run between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction, with stops at key locations such as Lydney and Chepstow.
  • Transport for Wales will operate buses between Cheltenham Spa and Severn Tunnel Junction, also passing through Lydney and Chepstow.
• Extended Journey Times:
  • Passengers should allow for extra time when planning their journeys due to the replacement bus services, as these buses will take longer than the regular train service.
  • Network Rail has advised passengers to check their journey details in advance and consult real-time travel information on official websites.
• Passenger Assistance:
  • Station staff will be available to help passengers at key locations along the route, including Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Lydney, and Chepstow. Staff will assist with information about bus schedules, connections, and ticketing.

Why the Works Are Happening Now: Strategic Timing for Minimum Impact

The timing of these works has been carefully planned to minimize disruption to both passengers and freight hauliers. By scheduling the closure during a period of lower demand in the summer, Network Rail aims to complete these critical works efficiently while ensuring the safety of the workers and passengers. This approach is in line with the objectives of the Severn Estuary Resilience Programme, which aims to protect the railway line for years to come while preventing further delays caused by weather and erosion-related issues.

These projects, while disruptive in the short term, are crucial to improving the long-term reliability and sustainability of the railway infrastructure in the Severn Estuary region, which is especially vulnerable to the impacts of coastal erosion and extreme weather events.

Impact on Freight and Passenger Servic

While the closure will primarily affect passenger services, freight operations through the area will also be impacted. Freight hauliers are advised to seek alternative routes during the closure period, and freight services may experience delays. Network Rail is working closely with freight operators to ensure minimal disruption and to facilitate smooth transitions across affected areas.

For commuters and regular passengers, it’s essential to plan ahead and allow extra time for the journey. While replacement bus services are a suitable alternative, they cannot replicate the speed and convenience of train services, so delays should be expected.

How to Stay Updated

To ensure a smooth journey during the works, passengers are encouraged to:

1. Check Before You Travel:
   • Use National Rail Enquiries and Transport for Wales websites for up-to-date information about replacement bus services and potential delays.
2. Use Online Journey Planners:
   • Online journey planners will be updated regularly to reflect the changes caused by the engineering works, so travelers should consult these resources before departing.
3. Sign Up for Travel Alerts:
   • Passengers can subscribe to travel alerts to receive real-time notifications about their journeys and to keep track of any last-minute changes.
4. Talk to Station Staff:
   • Station staff at major stations, including Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, and Severn Tunnel Junction, will be available to assist passengers with information and guidance during the works.

Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Investment in Rail Resilience

The Severn Estuary Resilience Programme is part of a multi-year initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience of the railway network along the Severn Estuary, ensuring that services continue to run smoothly in the face of increasing coastal and weather-related challenges. This programme is crucial for maintaining the long-term viability of the rail line, which is a vital link for both passenger and freight transport.

Once the engineering works are completed, the improvements will contribute to a safer, more reliable travel experience for all rail users in the region. These updates are a testament to the ongoing investment in UK infrastructure, which aims to enhance transport networks and make them more resilient to the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather conditions.

Final Thoughts: Having a Smooth Sailing Let’s always be ahead of time.

Following the three-week closure of the Severn Tunnel railway line through Gloucester to Severn Tunnel Junction there will, inevitably, be some short-term disruption, but essential engineering works like this are essential to making the network more robust in the long term. Travel can be made by alternative transport before and after this time and journey updates can be found.

By delivering these vital improvements, Network Rail is future-proofing the Severn Estuary railway line as a reliable, safe and effective link for passengers and freight over the long-term.