TRAIN commuters face delays in August because of work on the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.

The work, being carried out by Network Rail, is designed to prevent flooding in the 2.5 mile, 101 year-old Chipping Sodbury tunnel.

Soon thousands of leaflets will be given out on First Great Western trains explaining about track upgrades and the disruption it will cause.

Services from Swindon, Didcot Parkway, Reading and Bristol Parkway will be affected.

Heavy rain has caused Net-work Rail to close the tunnel about 24 times over the past six years.

Linda Hill, First Great Western's Head of Customer Services, said: "This work is designed to cut disruption caused by the closure of the Chipping Sodbury tunnel. Network Rail has decided that the work can best be carried out in an intensive three-week period."

The line between Bristol Parkway and Swindon will be closed from 10am on Monday until 2pm on Friday in the first three weeks of August.

Peak time services will continue to run between South Wales and London Paddington via an alternative route when the line is closed, with journey times extended by up to 35 minutes.

The work should cut flooding by 70 per cent to 80 per cent.

Full details of the timetable will also be available nearer the time of the work from Nation-al Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 and from www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk.