COMMUTERS have already been warned that six months of roadworks on the M4 are ahead but anyone thinking they'd be better off jumping on a train could face travel misery on the tracks as well.

Rail passengers in Swindon should brace themselves for three weeks of disruption after Network Rail announced plans to close a section of the main line to carry out engineering works on a tunnel.

The £4m project will tackle flooding in the 2.5-mile long Chipping Sodbury tunnel between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. The aim is to cut incidents of flooding in the tunnel by up to 80 per cent.

For the first three weeks of August this section of the line will be closed from 10am on Mondays until 2pm on Fridays. Alternative routes are expected to add up to 35 minutes to journey times.

In a bid to ease delays, train operator First Great Western has put together a temporary timetable.

Linda Hill, the company's head of customer services, said: "We know how crucial advance information is for customers.

"We have put this information on the website as soon as possible, so people can plan their journeys in the first three weeks of August accordingly."

Mike Greedy, regional director of the Rail Passengers Committee, said he was well aware of the plans. "It is a case of short-term pain for long-term for the travelling public," he said.

"This tunnel is prone to substantial flooding on a regular basis. We are now working with First Great Western to ensure there is a quality replacement bus services."

Network Rail will also be using the line closure to upgrade two miles of track and replace crossings.

A £2m project to install a new fibre optic cable on the M4 between Junctions 16 and 18 is due to get underway next week and will go on for six months. Most of the work will be confined to the hard shoulder but some lane closures will be needed.

Those without internet access can find out about the rail changes by calling the National Rail Enquiries on 08457 000125, or picking up a booklet from stations.

Anthony Osborne