Passengers Advised to Plan Ahead During River Plym Bridge Upgrade

Rail passengers travelling later this month are being advised to prepare for disruption as Network Rail undertakes major strengthening work on the River Plym railway bridge, a project designed to support heavier and more frequent trains well into the future.

The programme will run from Saturday 21 February until Sunday 8 March and centres on the bridge east of Plymouth city centre, close to the A38 Devon Expressway. As part of the works, 180 metres of track will be renewed and the bridge structure reinforced. Network Rail has confirmed that additional improvement schemes will also be carried out at several locations across south Devon during the same period to maximise the use of the planned closures.

River Plym bridge carries the main railway line between Plymouth and Totnes and will see extensive engineering activity. Crews will install 134 steel rail bearers between the existing cross-beams, alongside 24 FFU rail bearers laid along the length of the structure. FFU, a synthetic alternative to timber, is lighter, significantly more durable and lasts around six times longer while requiring less maintenance.

To allow safe access for engineers, a temporary dam will be placed in the river. Network Rail has confirmed that only half of the river will be dammed at any one time to maintain water flow and avoid disturbing fish. The necessary approvals for the work have been granted by both the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency.

Train services will be affected during the work, with replacement buses operating on parts of the route:

• Saturday 21 to Friday 27 February and Monday 2 to Sunday 8 March – buses replace trains between Totnes and Plymouth.

• Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March – buses replace trains between Teignmouth and Plymouth. Trains still run from Newton Abbot to Paignton.

Throughout the works, a non-stop bus service will operate between Tiverton Parkway and Plymouth.

Dan Parkes, Network Rail principal portfolio manager, said:

“The type of trains and amount of traffic now using our bridges means they need greater structural support, so this is vital work make sure they can continue to run safely for years to come. We’re sorry for the disruption but we’ll be busy in other areas as well to upgrade this heavily used section of railway and get as much work done as we can. The work is only possible by everyone across the railway industry working closely together and we’re very grateful for their support.”

GWR Station Manager for Plymouth, Sharon Holloway, said:

"Most long-distance services will continue to run – trains between Exeter and London, Cardiff, and the North will operate as normal, and Plymouth to Penzance services are unaffected. Local services between Exeter and Totnes or Paignton will also run on most days, except the weekend of 28 February to 1 March when we'll have a limited timetable. Replacement buses will bridge the gaps, but journey times will be longer, and we urge passengers to check before they travel and allow extra time."

CrossCountry’s Regional Director, Bethan Jelfs, said:

“We are grateful for our passengers’ patience while Network Rail complete this important work in Devon. We are asking passengers to check their journeys carefully, including where trains are being replaced by road services when the lines are closed.”

Image: Network Rail