BUSES will replace some train journeys over the bank holiday weekend as Network Rail carry out upgrades between Maidenhead and Hayes and Harlington.

From May 5-7 work on the Elizabeth line is taking place, with bus replacements between Maidenhead and Hayes and Harlington on Saturday and Monday and on Sunday between Maidenhead and Ealing Broadway.

Long distance services will be rerouted around the area, adding one hour to the journey from Bristol/South Wales to London Paddington on May 5 and May 7. On May 6, long distance services will be diverted to London Marylebone.

GWR Operations Director Rob Mullen said: “This work will ultimately enable our customers to switch trains at London Paddington for fast, Elizabeth line services to the heart of the city.

Network Rail Crossrail Programme Director Ben Wheeldon said: “The upgrade over the bank holiday weekend forms a vital part of the Crossrail programme which will, once complete, transform rail travel from the west into London.

“The scale of the work is huge and we are completing it in as short a time as possible, to minimise the impact for passengers.”

Travelling on Saturday 5 or Monday 7 May?

  • Buses will replace trains between Maidenhead and Hayes & Harlington

  • Long-distance services will be diverted around the affected area into London Paddington, adding up to an hour to journey times from Bristol/South Wales, and an hour and a half from Devon/Cornwall

  • Services between Cheltenham Spa and London Paddington will start terminate at Swindon

  • Suburban stopping services that would normally operate into London Paddington will terminate at Maidenhead

  • Services from London Paddington to Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport will continue to run

  • Tickets will be accepted on South Western Railway services from Reading and Windsor & Eton Riverside, as well as on Chiltern Railways services from Oxford

Travelling on Sunday 6 May?

  • Buses will replace trains between Maidenhead and Ealing Broadway with no GWR or Heathrow services into London Paddington

  • Long-distance services will be diverted to London Marylebone adding up to an hour to journey times from Bristol/South Wales and 90 minutes from Devon/Cornwall

  • Services between Cheltenham Spa and London Paddington will start/terminate at Swindon

  • Tickets will be accepted on South Western Railway services from Reading and Windsor & Eton Riverside, as well as on Chiltern Railways services from Oxford