Understand
Gloucestershire faces concurrent rail disruption and road closures in October
Overview
Railway passengers and motorists in Gloucestershire are being urged to plan ahead due to a combination of rail improvement works and major road closures taking place in October 2026. The disruption coincides with the Cheltenham Literature Festival, impacting travel via Great Western Railway services, the M5, and the A417.
Key points
- Great Western Railway will operate replacement road transport between Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Worcester Foregate Street, and Birmingham New Street on the weekends of 10/11 and 17/18 October.
- Network Rail is carrying out track renewals in the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury areas, alongside maintenance in Worcester.
- The travel disruption coincides with the Cheltenham Literature Festival running from 9 to 18 October.
- The A417 is scheduled to shut between Shab Hill and the A429 Burford Road from 9 to 12 October.
- The M5 will be closed overnight in both directions between junctions 11 and 12 during the second weekend for pedestrian bridge demolitions.
- M4/M5 Almondsbury Interchange works are also due to start on 11 October, lasting until December.