TROWBRIDGE Railway Station manager Nick Reid is advising commuters to ensure they “check before they travel” during August, following the start of electrification work starting at the weekend.

Work to electrify the Great Western main line began between Bath and Chippenham on Saturday (Aug 1), with all lines to the east of Bath Spa closed - including the route between Chippenham and Bath Spa, and Trowbridge and Bath Spa.

Rail replacement buses are now in place to take commuters from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon and Bath Spa from Platform One, with travellers able to change at Bradford for Avoncliff and Westwood and Freshford.

Commuters travelling to Bristol Temple Meads have to change at Swindon for connecting services, while those travelling to South Wales also need change at Swindon for services to Newport and Cardiff Central.

Mr Reid said: “Network Rail is doing major engineering work to the north of Trowbridge and the east of Bath the line is closed, with replacement busses running from Trowbridge to Bath Spa.

“The line is still open from Swindon and Westbury and we are diverting some of the trains that would normally go through Bath towards Swindon, with buses from Chippenham to Bath and Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon to Bath.

“We have tried to give people as many options as possible and the bus operation is going well so far. It can seem quite daunting to people, but we have worked to make sure the buses are providing a reliable journey time for passengers.

“It is going smoothly and people are aware of what is happening and how the timetables have changed. The important thing is that people make sure they check before they travel.”

The electrification work is due to be completed on August 31, which is when the line will full reopen. The £50 million project will allow a new fleet of trains from 2017 which will reduce journey times to and from London.

One commuter, who did not want to be named, said: “This is the first time I’ve used the bus since the change and it’s been fine. It has all been reasonably straightforward and I’ve not had any issues.

Tony Hart, who lives in Melksham, was less impressed and said: “I’m a regular user of the trains and it is far from ideal. I have to go all the way to Swindon to change for a connecting service to Newport and I will probably just avoid the trains for the rest of the month.”

West Wilts Rail Users Group chair Roger Newman said: “The feedback that I’ve had so far is that is has gone smoothly. People should make sure they check routes in advance and take into account the changed times.”