You're misreading the map - it just means that the line is blocked for at least one day in the period of the map & you have to read the key to discover which days.

You need to fully check that statement, Graham - the North Cots is only closed as per the thread's subject line - just one week.

Aside for other readers - I note that the following week both the South and the North Cotswold are closed for engineering works. 

My daughter is travelling from Didcot Parkway to University tomorrow and has a ticket that is 'via Evesham'.

Normally this would involve a GWR service direct to Worcestershire Parkway and then a Cross Country service to University.

Given the closure of this route tomorrow can she travel Didcot to Gloucester and then Gloucester to University rather than use the rail replacement bus between Moreton in The Marsh and Worcestershire Parkway?

If only GWR would put a minibus on to cover their route though...

Seems SWR have the same issues as GWR - all the Lymington shuttles have now been reinstated. 

14 miles  ouch!

Michael Smith and Linda Leetham have been stuck in Keadby Lock since Tuesday

A couple are stuck on their narrowboat in a Lincolnshire lock after high temperatures forced engineers to close a bridge.

Michael Smith, 64, and Linda Leetham, 61, from Thorne, South Yorkshire, arrived at Stainforth and Keadby Canal on Tuesday but found the Vazon Sliding Railway Bridge in Keadby, near Scunthorpe, had been closed.

A Network Rail spokesperson apologised for the disruption, adding the bridge was "operating with temperature restrictions following recent equipment issues". The spokesperson added it would reopen once temperatures dropped to 16C (60F) or below.

Mr Smith and his partner were travelling on their 67ft (20m) narrowboat up the River Trent from Chesterfield Canal to their moorings in Thorne when they came to a halt. "We can get off the boat, we can walk down to Keadby, there's a couple of little shops. So we're alright for the basics like bread and milk," said Mr Smith.


The Keadby bridge is the only one of its kind in the UK, according to Network Rail

In February last year, work was finished to strengthen the walls and replace the rails and track. But in August that year, it had to close again after a fault was found.

The Network Rail spokesperson said: "While the structural abutment works completed in 2024 have prevented further settlement and reduced vibration, the bridge continues to face challenges with its mechanical equipment and temperature sensitivity. The more recent works have focused on addressing issues with the rolling wheels and removing temporary rolling plates."


The original sliding bridge dates to the 1860s but was adapted in 1925

Mr Smith said he usually avoids the bridge due to its frequent problems but was left with no choice as most Pennine canals were closed due to low water. "We've now moved on [the boat] and our travel options are getting smaller literally by the week," he said. "The canal users are suffering more than anybody else."

A spokesperson for the Canals and Rivers Trust said they have had to close some locks to boats due to the "effects of the drought and prolonged dry weather".

"We need sustained rain to top up the reservoirs that feed the canals. But, as soon as water levels allow, we'll get them back open for boating. We know how frustrating navigation restrictions are and we're grateful to boaters for their support," the spokesperson added.

08:57 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:16/08/2025 22:27

12:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 16:04 will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/08/2025 10:43

An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 15:01 Worcester Shrub Hill to Hereford due 16:04.
Last Updated:17/08/2025 10:44

Sun, 17 August 18:10 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:34
Sun, 17 August 19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25

17/08/25 19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

  Nigel Ewens outlined a scheme for a narrow guage line from M Newton to W Bay via Gore Cross and the bus station. There was a 300m tunnel involved, and stations at Loders, Powerstock and Toller. He identified the problems of getting the project in, but was optimist about solutions. I saw no indications of predicted traffic/income flows, but he ran out of time sadly. There was some talk of importing 6 steam engines from retirement in Sri Lanka

19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00

19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 will be reinstated.
It will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

"Liked" that by accident, 'cos, sorry to see this. If either of you get the terrible sore throat, specifically Strepsils orange with vitamin 'C'. They're not an antiviral so, they shouldn't be expected to help with this, but there's science behind their effectiveness regarding the sore throat symptom.

Mark

Tens of passengers were stranded high on a Singapore railway track after their train suffered a power fault......