Passengers on Bristol’s only rail commuter line have endured something of a frustrating week after a rail replacement bus service had to be cancelled due to roadworks, leading to calls for improved work coordination and communication.

The first week of two weeks of the planned closure of the Severn Beach line, Bristol’s only designated commuter line, did not go entirely to plan on Thursday, says the Bristol Post, when overnight roadworks meant the rail replacement bus services brought in by GWR had to stop running. Passengers were advised to use the regular bus service, at no extra cost.

Passengers trying to get to Severn Beach and the stations out in north west Bristol on the way were left being advised to take a regular First bus instead – something which one passenger pointed out could be tricky, given the only First bus service to Severn Beach is the one provided to people who work at the Amazon distribution centre.

Passengers who regularly use the Severn Beach line have been left trying to work out exactly how to get around, as planned maintenance and structural work along the line means some trains are running part of the way, parts of the service are replaced by a bus, and others not at all.

The work began on Monday 17 August and will continue until the end of this week. The line runs from Temple Meads to Severn Beach with the line running east into Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road before circling north and west to Montpelier, Redland and Clifton Down, and then out into north west Bristol, calling at Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Portway Park and Ride, Avonmouth, St Andrews Road and Severn Beach.

“This [was] due to repairs on the road resulting in a road closure,” a GWR spokesperson told passengers. “Unfortunately there is no alternative for the rail replacements to take. You may use your train ticket, at no extra cost, on First Bus routes in the area to get you as close as possible to your end destination.”

(Picture: Colin Peachey)