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Passengers using one of the busiest rail routes in the UK are set to experience several weeks of significant disruption as critical maintenance work takes place. The Severn Tunnel, a key link connecting south Wales with Bristol and London, will be closed for 16 days starting from Saturday. During this time, engineers will undertake the replacement of overhead power lines with a new type of copper contact wire designed to better withstand the tunnel’s harsh conditions.
This tunnel, originally opened in 1886, is subject to a continuous influx of saltwater from the nearby River Severn, amounting to the equivalent of about 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily. The corrosive environment has caused accelerated wear on the existing infrastructure, necessitating an upgrade. The innovative copper power line aims to improve reliability and reduce the frequent power failures and maintenance shutdowns that have affected services in recent years.
Normal services operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) between London and south Wales will be affected throughout the closure period, with revised timetables extending journey times and some routes replaced by buses. Passengers have been urged to carefully check their travel arrangements and build in extra time for their journeys from 23 May until 8 June. Network Rail also plans simultaneous track upgrades near Bristol as part of the MetroWest project, which includes the opening of the new Bristol Brabazon station later this year, on the former Filton airfield site.
According to Ben Perkins of Network Rail, the tunnel presents one of the most challenging environments on the national rail network. Due to moisture, saltwater ingress, and diesel soot, both the track and overhead line equipment degrade much faster inside the tunnel than elsewhere. While track sections outside the tunnel typically last about 25 years, their lifespan inside is reduced to roughly 10 years. The new copper contact wire system is designed to separate bimetallic elements and offer improved current collection, aiming to enhance performance and durability in this demanding setting. Marcus Deegan from GWR emphasized the importance of the tunnel, describing it as “the heartbeat of this main line,” underscoring the vital nature of keeping it operational and reliable
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