NOTHING is certain on bank holidays but rain and rail delays – that’s according to Swindon travellers who are to suffer delays for the next three days.

This weekend London to Bristol trains will be diverted and delayed for 45 minutes on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with only buses running between Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa and on Sunday from Swindon to Bristol Parkway until 1pm.

A Network Rail spokesman said work to renew points at a junction at Thingley, just south west of Chippenham, would involve a fleet of ‘tilting wagons’ which can bring pre-constructed track panels to the site where they can be quickly slotted in.

The line between Swindon and Bristol will be shut until Monday, meaning that all trains to Bristol and west country will be diverted by Westbury adding around 45 minutes to journeys.

Pat Fisher, of Old Town, said she has been caught up in delays on bank holidays a number of times.

She said: “Usually people want to go away on bank holidays, especially when school is off – when this happens we are put off taking our grandchildren away.

“I am glad someone is highlighting this issue.

“The way I see it is they should either work overnight or put on more staff so as not to delay our holidays.

“It is stressful to have to wait for an hour when all you want to do is start your holiday.”

John Short, 64, an entrepreneur from Old Town, said he believes the organisation could improve its efficiency.

He said: “I think lessons could be learned a little bit better than they are currently.

“It is not right that the commuter has to put up with this high number of delays, there needs to be better planning and organisation.

“I think more care needs to be taken for the customer.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of consumer watchdog Passenger Focus, said: “While passengers understand that engineering works have to happen, it is vital that the industry ensures that information about any disruptions or alterations is widely available before and during any works.

“Passengers tell us they would rather spend up to an hour longer on a train than be put onto a bus replacement service.

“The industry needs to work together to ensure passengers experience a smooth journey and to demonstrate lessons have been learnt from events such as last winter’s severe weather disruption.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Over the bank holiday weekend, we’ll be working day and night to deliver nearly £36m worth of investment to improve rail services. By the end of the weekend, we’ll have completed significant work that will let us run longer, more frequent trains and deliver a more reliable service.

“We’re undertaking the work over the weekend as fewer people will be using the network, but we apologise for any disruption caused.”

The bank holiday weather forecast is for showers today with a maximum of 14°c, while rain is expected to clear on Sunday. On Monday sunny spells are forecaset with a chance of showers.