Passengers are being urged not to travel between Reading and Swindon today, (Wednesday, September 23) as a gas leak close to railway land in the Didcot area is expected to cause severe disruption throughout the day.
Engineers from gas distribution company SGN are on site working to rectify the problem as quickly and safely as possible.
Network Rail and train operators are working together to manage the impact on passengers, but normal services cannot operate until the leak has been repaired because the railway falls within the safety exclusion zone.
Severe disruption is expected to long-distance services that would usually travel through Didcot, and passengers are being warned that trains able to run either side of the affected area will be extremely busy.
GWR has said it will continue to operate as many trains as possible either side of the incident.
GWR expects to be able to operate services between:
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Reading and London Paddington
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Swindon and Cheltenham Spa
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Swindon and Chippenham/Bath/Bristol
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South Wales to Bristol Temple Meads
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Worcester and Oxford
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An hourly service between London Paddington and Bath/Bristol via an alternative, diversionary route
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Oxford and Didcot
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An hourly service Bristol Temple Meads and Didcot
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Usual timetabled services that do not run between Reading and Didcot
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A limited bus replacement service will operate between Swindon, Didcot and Reading
To help customers, those with tickets for travel through Didcot today will be able to use their tickets on Thursday, September 24.
Alternatively, passengers who no longer wish to travel can apply for a refund at https://www.gwr.com/help-and-support/refunds-and-compensation/train-ticket-refunds.
Customers can also use their tickets to travel on other rail providers, including:
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Chiltern Railways
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London Underground
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Avanti West Coast
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West Midlands Railway
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CrossCountry
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South Western Railway
CrossCountry is advising their passengers not to travel between Reading and Oxford while the disruption continues.
Passengers with CrossCountry tickets may use their tickets on alternative services operated by other rail operators, with no need to amend their ticket. Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling and allow extra time.
Marcus Jones, route director for Network Rail’s Great Western route, said: “We’re very sorry to passengers whose journeys will be disrupted because of this gas leak near the railway in the Didcot area.
“While the issue is not on the railway itself, it means trains cannot safely operate through the affected area until the leak has been repaired.
“We’re working closely with SGN and our train operators to minimise the impact wherever possible, but we’re advising passengers not to travel between Reading and Swindon on Wednesday.
“If you’re planning to travel elsewhere on the Great Western route on Wednesday, please check your journey before travelling and allow extra time for your journey as other routes may be affected.”
GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “I’m sorry to customers caught up in the disruption caused by the gas leak near Didcot.
“The safety cordon includes the railway, and train services will continue to be affected while gas engineers work to make the area safe and repair the leak.
“Some GWR routes will be severely impacted, but we will be able to run a normal services on others so please check the latest advice carefully before you travel.
“Our teams are working to keep as many people moving as possible. We’re diverting trains where we can, GWR tickets are being accepted on other operators’ services and we are working to source replacement transport where possible, although we know that can’t meet everyone’s needs.
“Colleagues at stations and on trains are helping customers find the best available route, and we’ll keep them updated as the situation changes.”
