Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026

[whole diary]

[grahame]

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse.
It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 29 minutes late.
This is due to a points failure.

[grahame]

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge.

The bridge strike is "in the Freshford area" which probably means at Limpley Stoke.

[bobm]

It is Limpley Stoke.

Awaiting a bridge examiner.

[bobm]

The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.

[Mark A]

It is Limpley Stoke.

Awaiting a bridge examiner.

I'm suspecting that all these impacts are happening on the west side of this bridge. Driving that road this morning and thinking 'Bridge strike location coming up', the impression was that the associated signage isn't brilliant. No indication before the turn off the A36, then an advisory on the height restriction 3/4 mile ahead - said notice among others and in a busy part of the road immediately after the turn off the A36... and then nothing apart from a couple of 'Give way' signs before the bend in the road before the at that point invisible bridge itself, it being approached via and concealed by the left hand bend immediately before it. The signage has plenty of opportunity to hide in foliage / be inconspicuous in bright sunlight. None of which is an acceptable reason for driving into the bridge of course, even the road alignment is screaming 'Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear'.

Mark

[bobm]

The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.

Looks like that unit is now going to work the 17:35 to Westbury.

[grahame]

The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.

Quoting the full report as it is at the moment on JourneyCheck.   Whilst we can say "wouldn't it br nice if" to some aspects, this is streets ahead of what's happened on so many prior occasions.

Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham
Following a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today between Bath Spa and Trowbridge the line towards Bath Spa has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 17:30 08/05.
Train services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham have been cancelled.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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A vehicle had struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Bath Spa and Trowbridge.
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What are we doing about it?
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Trains are currently only running from Trowbridge to Chippenham via Melksham.
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Trains that would normally run along that route have been diverted along the route through Melksham, which means we had to suspend our timetabled services between Swindon and Westbury, in both directions for a time. These services will shortly be running again.
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What are your options?
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We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you:
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Replacement transport in the form of a taxi will transport passengers from Melksham to Chippenham for the 16:39 service.
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Where possible the diverted trains will make additional stops at Melksham and Chippenham, these will be advertised in journey planners once confirmed.
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You can use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the local Faresaver bus route X34 between Chippenham (Bus Station, Bay 6), Melksham (McDonalds, a 10 minute walk from the station), Trowbridge (Trinity Church, a short walk from the station). Just show your train ticket to the bus driver. You can find bus times at www.faresaver.co.uk/current-timetables/
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Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
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For more information:
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Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
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Let us help you:
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If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
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If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 17:00 Saturday and Sunday, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
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Delay Repay:
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If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
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Last Updated:08/05/2026 16:09

[John D]

It is Limpley Stoke.

Awaiting a bridge examiner.

I'm suspecting that all these impacts are happening on the west side of this bridge. Driving that road this morning and thinking 'Bridge strike location coming up', the impression was that the associated signage isn't brilliant. No indication before the turn off the A36, then an advisory on the height restriction 3/4 mile ahead - said notice among others and in a busy part of the road immediately after the turn off the A36... and then nothing apart from a couple of 'Give way' signs before the bend in the road before the at that point invisible bridge itself, it being approached via and concealed by the left hand bend immediately before it. The signage has plenty of opportunity to hide in foliage / be inconspicuous in bright sunlight. None of which is an acceptable reason for driving into the bridge of course, even the road alignment is screaming 'Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear'.

Mark

Whatever the failure of advance signage on A36 (trunk road so Highways Authority) than doesn't advise large vehicles.
Or Banes Council (the advance sign you saw, but at bottom of lots of info just before bend and narrow bridge so easily missed.
Or Wiltshire Council (road has boundary at that narrow bridge) where there is no advance signage.

But real problem is Network Rail, they have allowed vegetation to grow unchecked on former Cameron branch trackbed which dangles over the road obscuring the signs on the bridge itself.   Of course as they own the strip of land alongside the road they could erect warning signs on their land saying low bridge facing the road, but have chosen not to.

[Mark A]

This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently).

A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator.

Mark

[grahame]

This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently).

A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator.

Mark

20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12

Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
This is due to a fault on this train.

[TaplowGreen]

This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently).

A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator.

Mark

20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12

Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Hopefully no-one's been for a pint!

[grahame]

14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01

14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 is being delayed between Chippenham and Swindon and is now expected to be 16 minutes late.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.

[grahame]

05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09

Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.

I am - relieved - to report that there are not all that many long distance passengers on this train, with the majority go customers using it for short duration journeys.  There are *some* longer distance mind - including regulars off the line north of Trowbridge and carrying on to Southampton.

[grahame]

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01 will be terminated at Chippenham.
It will no longer call at Swindon.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.

13:13 Swindon to Westbury due 13:55

13:13 Swindon to Westbury due 13:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.

12:50 Chippenham to Westbury due 13:16
An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 12:50 Chippenham to Westbury due 13:16.

[bobm]

A large branch is close to the line near Christian Malford.   Trains heading west can pass it at slow speed.