RUGBY fans from the West country set to travel to Twickenham for Saturday’s clash between Bath and Bristol can get the train to Paddington, despite engineering works.

Bus replacements will be in store for people travelling between Bath Spa and Westbury and between Westbury and Chippenham. However trains will not be affected running from Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa and Chippenham towards London on the day of the big match.

Services between London Paddington and the South West will make additional stops at Westbury for rugby supporters travelling by train before and after the game. Planned signalling work will be delayed and start the follow day on Sunday.

Engineering work to upgrade signalling at Bathampton will also effect the weekends of April 13 and 14, and May 11 and 12 with trains diverted between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington and buses replacements between smaller lines. GWR operations manager Rob Mullen said: “We’re pleased to have been able to work with Network Rail to keep the railway open for fans looking to travel to the clash on Saturday, but I would advise those travelling from further afield to check their journey as a series of weekend engineering work starts in the area.”

Network Rail Senior Sponsor Tony Lamb said:

“We have worked with GWR to arrange vital signal upgrade work so it does not clash with the Bath v Bristol Bears rugby match that is taking place at Twickenham on Saturday. We have done this to reduce the disruption the work has on passengers and to ensure fans of both teams can get London by rail.

“The signalling upgrade will now begin on Sunday 7 April and we thank passengers in advance for their patience.

“We will be upgrading the signalling at Bathampton which will help improve the reliability of the railway and forms part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.”