Modernising travel in the South West
Now and in 2020 passengers, communities and businesses in the South West of England benefit from big changes happening on our railway.
Big Changes now and 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 will open 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.
![Close up of Nancy AStor emblem on new train]()
GWR names Intercity Express Train after first woman to take her seat in the House of CommonsThe naming ceremony took place at Paddington, exactly 100 years since the by-election result announcing her being elected as...
![Staircase with passengers walking]()
GTR pledges passenger benefits in £15m station investment programmeLife-saving heart restarters, LED lighting and landscaping are among the improvements being delivered by Govia Thameslink...
![Richmond station exterior]()
New stores open at Richmond stationSouth Western Railway (SWR) welcomes four new stores to Richmond station as part of an annual £100,000 investment to develop...
![Network Rail staff member picture from behind wearing high vis displaying Network Rail logo]()
Network Rail Level 3 Engineering ApprenticeshipNetwork Rail is recruiting for future rail leaders through its apprenticeship scheme. Applications are now open for a March...
![Business group speaking to LBC radio]()
GWR’s December timetable change top of agenda for Thames Valley business groupGreat Western Railway managing director Mark Hopwood addressed around 30 guests in Reading to raise awareness of the new...
![GB Railfreight Train]()
GB Railfreight and Hanson Cement Sign Seven Year ContractGB Railfreight are delighted to announce a seven-year deal with Hanson Cement for rail freight services from Ketton cement...
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?
