Network Rail's essential engineering work between Bristol and Taunton will affect Virgin CrossCountry services between Scotland, north-east England and Plymouth and Penzance for three weeks from Saturday 18 November.

All day on Saturdays and Sundays during the weekends of 18/19 and 25/26 November and 2/3 December and from 10.00 on Mondays until 13.50 on Fridays of weeks beginning 20 and 27 November and 4 December the line will be closed to all trains between Bristol and Taunton.

During the closure, Virgin CrossCountry services will be diverted via Westbury and Bath Spa, with journey times increased by one hour. Virgin CrossCountry services to and from Plymouth/Penzance will be diverted via Bath Spa, and those normally running to and from Paignton will start from and terminate at Bristol Temple Meads.

First Great Western will run replacement coach services between Weston super Mare and Taunton.

Passengers are advised of the need to allow this extra time in their travel plans and to check travel details in advance by visiting the Virgin Trains website at www.virgin.com/trains, the National Rail website at www.nationalrail.co.uk, or by phoning 08457 484950