The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places.

The line has been reduced to single track, so there is only one platform, and the station building has been sold.

The line was reduced from double track to single track in the 1960s when only one platform was used.

The Sharpness branch, however, became less important and was reduced to single track in the 1930s.

It only has one platform, although before the branch was reduced to single track it, like the other stations on the line, had two.

Freight traffic did not meet expectations and the line was reduced to single track after 1923.

Also, to ensure the line's survival, parts of the remaining line were reduced to single track to minimize maintenance costs.

Since 1980, it has been mostly reduced to single track and in the 1990s it was threatened with closure.

British Rail reduced the line to Swindon to single track in 1968.

The station has been reduced to single track and only one platform remains in use (previously two).