The train journey from Bristol to London will be considerably faster from December.

The Great Western Railway (GWR) route from Bristol Parkway to London Paddington will take just 67 minutes.

Journeys from Bristol Temple Meads to the capital will also be cut to just one hour 19 minutes - 17 minutes faster than now.

The new routes are part of a massive timetable alteration, which is expected to come into effect on 15 December, and is the biggest change since 1976.

The changes include 20,000 more seats a day through Bristol Temple Meads and 15,000 through Bristol Parkway, as well as an extra train every hour at peak times at both stations.

In 2020, the extra train will also run during off-peak times as well.

Managing director Mark Hopwood said: “While December may seem a long time away for many, we have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare to implement the biggest timetable change on this network since 1976, enabling us to take advantage of the full benefits that new Intercity Express Trains are bringing.

(Image: Bristol Post)

“In providing more frequent and quicker journeys our new timetable will for the vast majority of users quite literally mean ‘all change please’ and we are looking forward to publishing further details soon.”

Those travelling on GWR services between Cardiff and Taunton or Exeter will also see modernised high-speed trains on the line. The new trains will mean 1,800 more seats along the route every day.

Meanwhile, the Severn Beach line will have trains extending through to Severn Beach on Sundays.

West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “This is great news for the West of England. More seats, more trains and faster journeys will help people switch from cars to public transport, reducing congestion and improving the air we breathe.

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“The new timetable will support the new rail services we have planned through MetroWest and it’s great to see even more investment in both track and train.”

The plans are subject to final industry approval including from Network Rail . It is expected to be published on 15 September.