Severn Estuary Resilience Programme

This summer, we are entering the fourth phase of the multi-million-pound programme plan to improve resilience of the Newport-Gloucester line.

A vital rail link for passengers that connects South Wales with the West Country, Midlands and north of England.

Over the last three years, our resilience works have focussed on a three-mile stretch of railway between Lydney and Gloucester. To date, we’ve removed 15,000m3 of fallen rock and earth from the steep slopes. And installed approximately 45,000m2 of netting and over 5000 rock bolts. 

As the railway line runs along the Severn Estuary it’s exposed to extreme weather. This challenging environment has seen the line regularly impacted by landslips. This has led to extended closures of the railway and temporary speed restrictions. 

As well as disrupting passengers, this impacts freight trains moving, steel, petrol, and construction materials. The route also serves ‘Tesco trains’, keeping supermarkets stocked with essential supplies. With the long-term viability of the line at stake, significant investment has been committed to help protect the line’s future.  

Phase 4 – summer 2025

In previous years, we have concentrated our efforts on specific areas between Lydney and Awre. This summer, we will extend our operations to encompass all areas and will be combining phases four and five.

The planned work includes the installation of 7,600 rock anchors in conjuction with 32,000 square metres of netting. These measures are intended to mitigate rock movements, thereby enhancing the safety of railway operations in this region.

We are currently on-site preparing for a temporary closure of the railway, scheduled from 27 July to 17 August 2025. During this period, buses will replace trains for part or all of your journey between Severn Tunnel Junction and Gloucester.

For travel updates, please check National Rail:

As a result of our work, there may be an increase in vehicle movements in Lydney, Purton, Etloe and Awre. We will remain mindful of any local road restrictions in place.

Phase 3 – summer 2024 

In 2024, we focused on an area between Purton and Awre in the Forest of Dean. Engineers drilled nearly 4,000 holes, each between four and five metres deep. They then installed rock bolts and rockfall netting to fully stabilise more than 17,500 square metres of the railway. 

This upgraded the current temporary netting system put in place in phase one of the work in 2022 to catch falling material, to a permanent netting system, which holds the cliff material in place. 

Phase 2 – summer 2023 

In summer 2023, we carried out a second intensive phase of work in this area. This focussed on a one mile stretch close to Purton, just west of phase one. 

Work was completed in early 2024.  

The video below shows the installation of a mesh-and-bolt system on a steep cutting along a mile of railway near Lydney.  The work was carried out between 31 July and 18 August 2023. Please note, this video has no audio description or voice over. 

Phase 1 – summer 2022

During a planned seven-week closure of the line in summer 2022, rock and earth were removed from the face of a two-mile stretch of a steep cutting near Lydney, just east of phase 2. 

Teams on ropes then installed a temporary netting system on the slopes, to stop rock and earth falling on the track below.   

Future work

Our work to make the line more resilient is due to continue until 2026.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our work, please call our National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or email crwales@networkrail.co.uk