Modernising travel in the South West
Passengers, communities and businesses in the South West of England will benefit from big changes happening on our railway.
Big Changes in 2020
Trains
- 93 new Intercity Express trains now operating on Great Western Railway
- Biggest timetable change in 40 years for Great Western Railway passengers in December 2019 – 30% increase in trains for 2020
- More room for passengers travelling on CrossCountry trains between Exeter and Bristol with 400,000 extra seats compared to 2018
Stations, tracks, depots
- Worcestershire Parkway Station opened in late 2019
- Bristol Temple Meads historic roof renovation worth £40 million starts 2020
Communities
- In 2020 Great Western Railway has £750,000 available for community projects
- CrossCountry passengers can reserve a seat up to ten minutes before travel by text message
- CrossCountry is partnered with UK Scouts to promote personal safety, with now over 35,000 activity badges awarded
Major upgrade work
- £7.5 billion is being spent on electrifying routes from London to Cardiff, station improvements, and track upgrades
- By summer 2020 Dawlish will have a new £80 million sea wall, boosting the resilience of a vital piece of the regions infrastructure
Changes happening now in the South West
Below are press releases from rail companies in the South West promoting changes and improvements happening in the area.
![Network Rail staff]()
Network Rail announces £640m contract awards to deliver design servicesNetwork Rail has announced the award of 82 framework contracts to deliver design services across the country, worth an...
![Network Rail staff]()
Network Rail launches action plan for working with small and medium businessesNetwork Rail has published its plan of action for working more effectively and closely with small and medium enterprises...
![Staff at maintenance deport next to SWR train]()
SWR completes £70m 'Desiro' refurbishmentSouth Western Railway (SWR) is pleased to announce the final refurbished Desiro train has entered passenger service on one of...
![Crossrail station tunnell]()
2019 a year of progress on Crossrail but more to do in 2020Crossrail Ltd issued its latest project update on progress to complete the Elizabeth line and confirmed that the central...
![HackTrain teams working on code]()
CodingCats wins HackTrain VI with algorithm to improve operational performance on rail networkA new algorithm, combining track circuit and signal berth data to more accurately identify a train’s location at any given...
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New timetable launches for the South CotswoldsThe new December weekday train timetable for Gloucester and the South Cotswolds has been launched today, providing faster...
People across the South West support rail companies’ proposals for change
The rail industry recognise the need for big changes, that's why together we submitted proposals for a radical alternative to the current franchising system to the independently-chaired Williams review looking into the future of Britain's railway. We proposed for a more customer focussed, joined-up and accountable railway.
See what’s happening elsewhere in Britain
What big changes do you want?
Rail companies are calling for big changes but what matters to you?
