Major train disruption - FGW say 'not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary'

Major disruption between London Paddington and Reading.

Following inspections of the track between Paddington and Maidenhead, Network Rail has confirmed that floodwater is likely to affect trackside signalling and safety equipment this morning.

While they work to fix the problem, First Great Western (FGW) will only be able to run four trains an hour between Paddington and Reading in each direction.

This is around a fifth of the services that would normally be scheduled.

This will continue until Network Rail lets FGW us know it is safe to run a full service again.

FGW strongly advise customers not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary, and to consider alternative routes.

In recognition of the disruption expected, and to allow customers to postpone their journeys until later in the week, ticket restrictions have been lifted across the FGW network until Friday.

During the day, services in the following areas are expected to be affected as outlined below. Additional trains will run during peak times :

Paddington to Slough

• An hourly three-carriage shuttle service will run in both directions.

Paddington to Oxford

• Local stopping services will operate between Twyford and Didcot Parkway only.
• Connecting services to London Paddington will be extremely limited.
• Services will run hourly between Didcot and Oxford.
• Customers wishing to travel from Oxford to London may find it easier to travel via Banbury into London Marylebone, where First Great Western tickets will be valid.

Paddington to Reading

• Local stopping services will run between Paddington and Maidenhead only.
• A rail replacement bus service will operate for customers wishing to travel between Maidenhead and Reading.
• Fast services will be severely reduced, with only four trains an hour running in each direction.
• Customers may wish to consider travelling into and out of London Waterloo.  First Great Western tickets will be valid between Waterloo, Basingstoke and Reading and intermediate stations.

Branch lines

• Greenford and Windsor branch lines and the Heathrow Connect service will run as normal. Marlow and Henley branch lines will be operating a Saturday timetable.