Worcester to Hereford upgrades mean October half-term journey changes

Passengers travelling between Worcester and Hereford are being advised to plan ahead while Network Rail carries out five days of essential railway improvements this October half-term.

From Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, engineers will renew and maintain sections of railway between Worcester and Hereford to help keep services running safely and reliably.

The five-day programme includes renewing 100 metres of track between Henwick and Newlands level crossing, upgrading track at Ledbury, and carrying out further maintenance between Worcester Foregate Street and Ledbury.

Engineers will also improve drainage ahead of the wetter autumn and winter months, clear vegetation and replace signalling equipment near Newlands level crossing. Together, the improvements will help keep the railway safe and reliable and provide smoother journeys for passengers.

Train services will be amended throughout the five days, with rail replacement buses operating on affected sections of the route. Passengers should check their journey before travelling and allow extra time. Normal services are expected to resume on Saturday 31 October 2026.

Adam Checkley, engineering director for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “We know there is never a good time to close the railway, so we’re making the most of these five days to complete a wide range of essential improvements.

“By carrying out this work together during the half-term break, our teams can renew and maintain important parts of the railway while helping to keep services safe and reliable for years to come.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and urge anyone travelling between Worcester and Hereford to check their journey before travel and allow extra time.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “We thank our passengers for their patience while Network Rail carries out these essential track improvement works. An amended service will be in place between Birmingham and Worcester, with rail replacement in operation to connect customers with Hereford and Great Malvern. Customers are encouraged to check before they travel and to leave extra time for their journeys.”

Billy White, GWR's station manager for Oxford and the North Cotswolds, said: “This important investment in rail improvements will enable us to maintain services for the communities we serve in the Hereford and Worcester areas for year to come.

“GWR trains can still run between Worcester Shrub Hill and London Paddington via Oxford, with some extending to Worcester Foregate Street, plus our services for Bristol Temple Meads via Gloucester.

“Replacement road transport is planned between Hereford, Great Malvern and Worcester Shrub Hill, making journey times longer than usual as a result, so please plan ahead.”

Passengers can plan their journeys and get the latest travel information at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.