Severn Tunnel to close for six weeks

The 130-year-old Severn Tunnel will close for six weeks from mid-September to upgrade it in preparation for rail electrification.

The tunnel will be closed to trains between 12 September and 21 October and will affect the majority of passengers who travel into and out of South Wales including those to and from London, Portsmouth Harbour and south-west England.

Video Credit: Network Rail

Passengers traveling to and from London Paddington will be diverted via Gloucester and face a 35 minutes journey extension as well as a reduction in train frequency.

For all other services, rail replacement buses will be in available.

Ahead of the upgrade, a significant amount of preparation work is being undertaken, with four tonnes of soot being removed from the tunnel as well as repairs to the brick work.