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

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

Now, that 'b' road wasn't a through route for around ten days - closed for works to a gas main on Winsley Hill. That would have been a good opportunity to improve the signage and sightlines to the bridge - was this done? On the first day it reopened, it was struck again... It can't be that there's more income to be made from the constant risk and disruption of bridge strikes here than there is from simply operating the railway can it?

Mark

[John D]

Now, that 'b' road wasn't a through route for around ten days - closed for works to a gas main on Winsley Hill. That would have been a good opportunity to improve the signage and sightlines to the bridge - was this done? On the first day it reopened, it was struck again... It can't be that there's more income to be made from the constant risk and disruption of bridge strikes here than there is from simply operating the railway can it?

Mark

Actually it was open by Saturday afternoon (my sat nav said it was closed, but all the closed signs had been removed, and D1 bus was running normally)

However during the closure, a lot more vegetation has sagged from Network rail land towards the road, making any signage harder to see, but there is now a height restriction warning sign on blue background about 150m before the bridge, which I think is new (although the overhanging vegetation partly hides it as driving towards it)

[grahame]

Now, that 'b' road wasn't a through route for around ten days - closed for works to a gas main on Winsley Hill. That would have been a good opportunity to improve the signage and sightlines to the bridge - was this done? On the first day it reopened, it was struck again... It can't be that there's more income to be made from the constant risk and disruption of bridge strikes here than there is from simply operating the railway can it?

Mark

Actually it was open by Saturday afternoon (my sat nav said it was closed, but all the closed signs had been removed, and D1 bus was running normally)

However during the closure, a lot more vegetation has sagged from Network rail land towards the road, making any signage harder to see, but there is now a height restriction warning sign on blue background about 150m before the bridge, which I think is new (although the overhanging vegetation partly hides it as driving towards it)

I have just asked for advice from a friend with a foot in multiple camps as to the best / most effective way of bringing the very real issues this is causing rail passengers across the whole area to attention to get appropriate attention.

[TaplowGreen]

Now, that 'b' road wasn't a through route for around ten days - closed for works to a gas main on Winsley Hill. That would have been a good opportunity to improve the signage and sightlines to the bridge - was this done? On the first day it reopened, it was struck again... It can't be that there's more income to be made from the constant risk and disruption of bridge strikes here than there is from simply operating the railway can it?

Mark

Actually it was open by Saturday afternoon (my sat nav said it was closed, but all the closed signs had been removed, and D1 bus was running normally)

However during the closure, a lot more vegetation has sagged from Network rail land towards the road, making any signage harder to see, but there is now a height restriction warning sign on blue background about 150m before the bridge, which I think is new (although the overhanging vegetation partly hides it as driving towards it)

I have just asked for advice from a friend with a foot in multiple camps as to the best / most effective way of bringing the very real issues this is causing rail passengers across the whole area to attention to get appropriate attention.

If it's growing on Network Rail land, it's their responsibility to address it - had a similar issue a year or two back with overgrown vegetation near Taplow station making it virtually impossible to use the pavement, and people were having to walk in the road - to their credit, once they were made aware of it they cut it back quite quickly - I would suggest you drop them a line with all the details, location etc - it tends to be very reactive rather than proactive.

https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=25289.0

[grahame]

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06

Facilities on the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.
This is due to a fault on this train.

[grahame]

17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06

17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 was terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.

[grahame]

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
Facilities on the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06.

This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.

[TaplowGreen]

14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26
17:45 Swindon to Westbury due 18:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

[grahame]

 

18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56

20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

[grahame]

19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00

19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 will no longer call at Frome.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

Sun, 19 July 08:06 Warminster to Swindon due 08:58
Sun, 19 July 09:08 Swindon to Westbury due 09:49

19/07/26 09:08 Swindon to Westbury due 09:49 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[grahame]

20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23
21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16

21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45
19/07/26 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Frome, Bruton, Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill, Thornford, Yetminster, Chetnole, Maiden Newton, Dorchester West, Upwey and Weymouth.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[grahame]

16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34

16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Frome.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[TaplowGreen]

05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:10
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:10 was terminated at Salisbury.
It will no longer call at Romsey and Southampton Central.
This is due to a points failure.

[TaplowGreen]

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:05
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:05 is being delayed at Westbury.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57
13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

[grahame]

17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06

17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be started from Swindon.
It will no longer call at Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track earlier today.