Train services through the Severn Tunnel resumed this morning (Friday 19 July) after 16 days of essential round-the-clock work to renew the track.

The railway line through the tunnel was closed from Wednesday 3 July to Thursday 18 July to allow Network Rail teams to replace the entire 7km (4.3 miles) of track in the Wales-bound direction.

During the closure of the line, passengers were able to travel between South Wales and Bristol via Gloucester.

The £10m project – the largest track renewal in living memory inside the 138-year-old tunnel – was completed on time and on budget.

During the 16 days, engineers installed almost 11,000 sleepers, more than 22,000 tonnes of new ballast (track stone), and 66 rails, each 216m in length. They also removed 21,000 tonnes of spoil.

Salt water and minerals inside the tunnel make for a corrosive environment, and track that would usually last 25 years elsewhere on the railway needs to be replaced around every ten years.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work means the entire track within the Severn Tunnel has now been renewed within the past two years.

“We are committed to providing lower-carbon and reliable rail transport between South Wales and England ­– and this major track renewal on such a busy route is a significant part of that.

“I would like to pay tribute to the dedication and skill of the Network Rail teams and our contractors, who worked 24/7 in challenging conditions to safely deliver the largest track replacement in the tunnel for many years.

“I would also thank our passengers and our train operator colleagues, notably those at Great Western Railway, for their patience over the past 16 days while we carried out this work.”

Rich Middleton, GWR Wales development manager, said: “We would like to thank customers for their patience while this essential work was carried out.

“The Severn Tunnel is key to providing quick, consistent and reliable services into Wales and we are really pleased that while investing in our railway the work has been completed in a timely manner.”

In addition to the Severn Tunnel track renewal, 900m of track was replaced at Cattybrook, Almondsbury, and more than 230m of track drainage was replaced at Patchway Gap – between the two Patchway tunnels near Bristol.

The Severn Tunnel will be closed for follow-up work on the weekends of 27-28 July and 24-25 August, when passengers are advised to check before they travel.