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Signalling problems at Slough cause rail delays Signalling problems at Slough cause rail delays
(about 4 hours later)
Rail commuters are facing travel misery after signalling equipment was damaged near Slough during overnight engineering work.Rail commuters are facing travel misery after signalling equipment was damaged near Slough during overnight engineering work.
First Great Western (FGW) is operating a "severely reduced" service into Paddington, adding up to an hour to journeys.First Great Western (FGW) is operating a "severely reduced" service into Paddington, adding up to an hour to journeys.
The company has advised against travel between Reading and Paddington.The company has advised against travel between Reading and Paddington.
Network Rail said some lines have reopened as work to repair the problem continued.Network Rail said some lines have reopened as work to repair the problem continued.
The problems are also affecting services to and from the west of England, Swansea, Bristol, Oxford, Cheltenham Spa and Worcester.The problems are also affecting services to and from the west of England, Swansea, Bristol, Oxford, Cheltenham Spa and Worcester.
'No announcements'
A message on the FGW website earlier said: "Following overnight engineering work, signalling equipment has been damaged between Slough and West Drayton affecting all four lines. Because of this, a severely disrupted train service is operating between Reading and London Paddington this morning."
An updated message read: "Engineers have been working all morning to rectify the fault, but have so far been unsuccessful. At present, we are only able to run four trains per hour in each direction between Reading and Paddington.
"Many services will be cancelled and there will be delays of up to 60 minutes affecting those trains which can run. We strongly advise customers to avoid travelling where possible."
The company said it "sincerely apologised" for the problems and said tickets would be valid on other operators' services and on alternative routes which avoid the affected area, as well as for train journeys on Tuesday.The company said it "sincerely apologised" for the problems and said tickets would be valid on other operators' services and on alternative routes which avoid the affected area, as well as for train journeys on Tuesday.
Network Rail said some lines have reopened although "severe delays" can still be expected. Network Rail said some lines have reopened although "severe delays" can still be expected until the end of service on Monday.
Some passengers took to Twitter to vent their frustration. Mark Waine said: "@FGW 9.04 from Reading to Paddington hasn't moved for an hour, no announcement for over 30 minutes, trains passing us, have we been forgotten?" It said it was confident a full service would resume on Tuesday.
Julian Crump said: "@fgw We're at slough. No announcements/no guidance. Should we continue to London? Are there rtn trains? Will refunds be given? Anything?" More than 1,600m of cables were replaced as part of the efforts to repair the damage to the signalling system.
MP for Reading East Rob Wilson tweeted: "It's not acceptable to have signalling crisis once a month on 1 of Europe's busiest train routes."MP for Reading East Rob Wilson tweeted: "It's not acceptable to have signalling crisis once a month on 1 of Europe's busiest train routes."