Rail travellers face disruption

The initial engineering work is expected to last six weeks

Rail travellers in the North Cotswolds are facing disruption as engineering work begins on Saturday.

Engineers are doubling the track between Worcester and Oxford, leading to the suspension of some services.

British Rail reduced the line through Moreton-in-Marsh to a single track in the 1960s.

Dan Panes, of First Great Western, said the future benefits would outweigh the disruption, which was expected to last six weeks.

The 10 miles of one-track railway causes many delays and passengers are promised a better service when work finishes.

The first phase will be finished at the end of August but there will be further work during next year before completion in 2011.

Plans have been made for replacement bus and rail services, with further information available from Great Western and National Rail websites.

A team of more than 100 engineers will descend on the rail line on Saturday.

During the work, nearly 10 miles of existing track will be moved to make room for new track, 30 miles of new cable will be installed and 60 sets of signal equipment moved.

Rail services through Moreton-in-Marsh are suspended for this time, with coaches running in their place.