NATIONAL Express has seen a seven per cent year-on-year jump in bookings on coach serbices this weeked following the announce-ment that engineering works are set to cause disruption to trains.

Trains running on the First Great Western Line between Swindon and London from yesterday until Sunday are set to be disrupted and rail passengers are looking for alternative means of transport. To cope with the increase in demand the national coach operator has added 18,000 extra seats to its services.

Overall Bank Holiday Monday is the most popular day of travel with tens of thousands of passenger journeys already booked, while Friday is the second most popular day of travel as people look to make an early getaway.

National Express UK Coach Managing Director Tom Stables said: “People are gearing up to enjoy the long weekend and this surge in coach bookings proves that passengers are determined to not let the rail disruption spoil their getaway.”

On August 23 and 24, the rail line will be closed from Swindon to Bristol Parkway, between Swindon and Didcot Parkway and between Swindon and Gloucester. The Transwilts route, from Swindon to Chippenham and Chippenham to Westbury via Melksham will be closed. The line between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill will also be closed for rail improvement work.

 Visit www.nationalexpress.com or call 0871 781 81 81 to book.