First Great Western has warned of severe disruption to train services today as heavy rain, floodwater, high winds and fallen trees continued to impact the rail network overnight.

Customers are being advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

The railway line is shut south of Salisbury, while the service from Westbury via bath and vice versa is running, but only as far as Westbury.

Services from Reading that would normally go through Westbury are only running as far as Bedwyn.

There has been some flooding between Reading and Bedwyn, meaning fewer trains are able to run on all lines and services running from these stations may be delayed.

 

Trains from Bedwyn to London Paddington are currently running and trains the opposite way, from Reading to Bedwyn are also running at the moment.

However some trains running from Pewsey have been cancelled, including the 12.03pm to Plymouth, and the 12.03pm service from London Paddington to Pewsey is not running.

A First Great Western spokesman said: “Continued heavy rain, flooding and debris on the line caused by high winds is having a significant affect on our ability to run services.

“Customers should only attempt to travel if absolutely necessary, and if so, to do so earlier rather than later.

“Key areas of our network are currently impassable due to flooding or fallen trees caused by the high winds. We will do everything we can to get customers safely to their destinations today.”

Ticket restrictions have been lifted across the network, but customers are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Those who do need to travel are advised to do so at the earliest opportunity. Road replacement transport has been sourced where possible, however road conditions in some areas means coaches are not able to operate.

  • Long distance High Speed Services are running to a reduced timetable with extended journey times
  • Local services in the London and Thames Valley area will run as close to the timetable as possible, however there may be last minute delays and cancellations.
  • Local services in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Bristol will be working to amended timetables.