This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-62952485
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Queen's funeral: Mourners face severe rail delays to London and Windsor | Queen's funeral: Mourners face severe rail delays to London and Windsor |
(32 minutes later) | |
Trains are at a standstill at London Paddington | Trains are at a standstill at London Paddington |
No trains are running in or out of London's Paddington station, causing severe disruption for numerous mourners planning to watch the Queen's funeral. | No trains are running in or out of London's Paddington station, causing severe disruption for numerous mourners planning to watch the Queen's funeral. |
All lines between the west London station and Reading have been blocked since 06:30 BST due to damaged overhead electric wires, Network Rail said. | All lines between the west London station and Reading have been blocked since 06:30 BST due to damaged overhead electric wires, Network Rail said. |
Great Western Railway (GWR), Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line services have all been affected. | Great Western Railway (GWR), Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line services have all been affected. |
Network Rail has warned services will be disrupted for the rest of the day. | Network Rail has warned services will be disrupted for the rest of the day. |
No trains are able to run between Slough/Heathrow Airport and London Paddington, affecting people trying to travel to both London and Windsor. | No trains are able to run between Slough/Heathrow Airport and London Paddington, affecting people trying to travel to both London and Windsor. |
The Queen's funeral is taking place at Westminster Abbey, but central London viewing areas for the procession closed at about 09:30 due to overcrowding. | The Queen's funeral is taking place at Westminster Abbey, but central London viewing areas for the procession closed at about 09:30 due to overcrowding. |
Many of those affected had hoped to secure a position to see the funeral procession | Many of those affected had hoped to secure a position to see the funeral procession |
Barry Boffy, from Bristol, was supposed to be attending the funeral as an invited guest in the abbey and was on a train to Paddington when passengers were told they had to disembark at Langley station, in Slough, and "make your own way". | |
The former head of inclusion and diversity at British Transport Police (BTP) said he was given a lift from the station but, with numerous roads closed in the capital, was unable to get to the abbey in time. | |
Nevertheless, he said he felt "pretty philosophical about these things", as "ultimately there's not anything I can do about it". | Nevertheless, he said he felt "pretty philosophical about these things", as "ultimately there's not anything I can do about it". |
"I think it's still a huge honour and privilege just to be invited, so I will treasure that," he added. | |
Choir echoing in carriages | |
On one stuck train, the sound of the choir at Westminster Abbey could be heard echoing through the carriages as mourners watched the service on their smartphones. | |
Bev Palfreman, 61, from Okehampton, Devon, said she was "absolutely gutted" about not reaching the capital for the start of the funeral because, "the Queen has just been there throughout the whole of my life". | |
"This was the only thing I wanted to do." | |
Gaby Thomas, 29, who travelled from Castle Cary, Somerset, with her father, said: "My dad is a former naval officer and he wanted to see the procession and the military involved. | |
"It's just about being there. We were meant to arrive in Paddington at about 08:30. We are still hoping to catch the end of the procession." | |
She added it was "a typical British thing to happen". | |
Passengers on another severely delayed Paddington-bound train were told by a member of staff on the public address system: "My sincerest apologies for the delays on such an important day for the country." | Passengers on another severely delayed Paddington-bound train were told by a member of staff on the public address system: "My sincerest apologies for the delays on such an important day for the country." |
Passengers on an Elizabeth Line train were stuck outside Royal Oak station due to the disruption | Passengers on an Elizabeth Line train were stuck outside Royal Oak station due to the disruption |
BBC London transport correspondent Tom Edwards said he had been told two miles (3.2 km) of electrical lines had been damaged around Hayes and Harlington station. | BBC London transport correspondent Tom Edwards said he had been told two miles (3.2 km) of electrical lines had been damaged around Hayes and Harlington station. |
Dean Shaw, from Network Rail, told BBC Radio Bristol "significant damage" had been caused to overhead wires, which was causing a "huge amount of disruption". | Dean Shaw, from Network Rail, told BBC Radio Bristol "significant damage" had been caused to overhead wires, which was causing a "huge amount of disruption". |
He said an investigation into what caused the problem was still taking place but it was hoped some diesel trains may be able to run on routes between Reading and Slough while electrical problems remain. | He said an investigation into what caused the problem was still taking place but it was hoped some diesel trains may be able to run on routes between Reading and Slough while electrical problems remain. |
GWR said Chiltern Railways, Transport for London (TfL) and Southern Railway were taking passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. | GWR said Chiltern Railways, Transport for London (TfL) and Southern Railway were taking passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. |
Tickets are also being accepted on London Underground, London Buses and First Berkshire between Slough and Reading, as well as on South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Reading. | Tickets are also being accepted on London Underground, London Buses and First Berkshire between Slough and Reading, as well as on South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Reading. |
On a train to Windsor | On a train to Windsor |
Maria Zaccaro, BBC News | Maria Zaccaro, BBC News |
Disruptions affecting trains to London and Windsor are not putting people off. | Disruptions affecting trains to London and Windsor are not putting people off. |
Dozens are still determined to get to Windsor to pay their respects to the Queen. | Dozens are still determined to get to Windsor to pay their respects to the Queen. |
Several trains from Reading have been delayed as railway lines between Slough and Paddington are blocked due to damage to overhead electric wires. | Several trains from Reading have been delayed as railway lines between Slough and Paddington are blocked due to damage to overhead electric wires. |
Darren Long, 51, left his home in Lincoln at 04:30 hoping to be in Windsor by 09:00. But now he will not be there until later in the morning. | Darren Long, 51, left his home in Lincoln at 04:30 hoping to be in Windsor by 09:00. But now he will not be there until later in the morning. |
Passengers from Reading are being asked to change at Staines before getting on another train to Windsor. | Passengers from Reading are being asked to change at Staines before getting on another train to Windsor. |
But Sue Furness, 77, from Reading, says the delays are not putting her off. | But Sue Furness, 77, from Reading, says the delays are not putting her off. |
"It is all part of the day. I just want to go," she says. | "It is all part of the day. I just want to go," she says. |
She and her daughter Sindi Dumanowska, 55, are travelling together and say being in Windsor will be just a way to pay their respects to the Queen and thank her for her years of service. | She and her daughter Sindi Dumanowska, 55, are travelling together and say being in Windsor will be just a way to pay their respects to the Queen and thank her for her years of service. |
Lines between Reading and Newbury have also been closed after an incident on the line, causing some GWR trains to be diverted and further delaying journeys to the capital. | Lines between Reading and Newbury have also been closed after an incident on the line, causing some GWR trains to be diverted and further delaying journeys to the capital. |
The disruption comes during one of the UK's biggest transport operations as mourners descend on London and Windsor. | The disruption comes during one of the UK's biggest transport operations as mourners descend on London and Windsor. |
A Network Rail spokesman said: "We are very sorry for the disruption which we expect to continue throughout the day. | A Network Rail spokesman said: "We are very sorry for the disruption which we expect to continue throughout the day. |
"We are working hard to get services running as soon as possible and passengers are strongly advised to check before they travel. | "We are working hard to get services running as soon as possible and passengers are strongly advised to check before they travel. |
"We will continue to update passengers as the situation develops." | "We will continue to update passengers as the situation develops." |
Watch: Last mourners file past as Lying in State ends | Watch: Last mourners file past as Lying in State ends |
What time is the Queen's funeral? And other questions | What time is the Queen's funeral? And other questions |
Queen's funeral plans: What will happen on the day | Queen's funeral plans: What will happen on the day |