Alternative travel arrangements have been laid on by Great Western Railway while flood protection work gets under way between Oxford and Didcot Parkway.

From Saturday, July 30 to Sunday, August 7 engineers will be raising the height of the train tracks to prevent them being submerged.

At the same time the line between Oxford and Banbury will be closed for signalling improvements until Sunday, August 7 and bridge repairs will also take place between Oxford and Hanborough from Wednesday, August 3 to Sunday, August 7.

Rail replacement coaches will run throughout every 12 minutes between Oxford and Didcot Parkway, taking 30 to 40 minutes.

Rail replacement coaches will operate in both directions up to every 12 minutes taking approximately 30-40 minutes; where customers can connect for onward services.

An hourly service will run between London Paddington and Didcot, calling at Slough and Reading, and twi stopping services an hour will run calling at Thames Valley stations between London Paddington and Didcot.

A single service an hour will run between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street, with connecting London Midland services to Hereford

Peak hour trains in both directions between London Paddington and Worcester will be diverted via Cheltenham Spa, extending journey times by 40 minutes

GWR rail tickets will also be accepted on Chiltern Railways services and a number of local bus routes. 

Oxford Rail Station manager Richard Fry said: “We’ve worked closely with Oxfordshire County Council and Network Rail to make sure customers can still get to where they need to go while the work is happening.

"We’re encouraging people to plan their journeys ahead of time through National Rail Enquiries to make sure they pick the route that is best for them.

“The improvements being made will bring Brunel’s railway into the 21st century, providing a more resilient infrastructure and paving the way for the new electric trains. These improvement works will allow passengers to take advantage of the full benefits of electrification once complete: new trains, faster, more frequent services and importantly, given the growth this network has seen in recent years, more seats.”