Disruption to train services will last until ‘at least midday tomorrow’
Major disruption to train services to and from Bristol is set to continue until at least midday tomorrow, passengers have been warned. Storm Babet is continuing to wreak havoc and has left part of the track near Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon covered in water.
This has led to a line closure and train services between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads and other parts of the South West to be severely delayed[1]. It has also caused a number of services to be cancelled or diverted.
People have been advised to only travel if necessary. And train passengers were warned earlier today (Friday, October 20) that disruptions to train services would continue until the end of today.
But a further update released on social media tonight by Great Western Railway (GWR) has said service alterations will need to last until at least Saturday. The update says "We are sorry for the disruption caused by flooding on the railway at Swindon today.
"An amended timetable will remain in place for the rest of the day and until at least midday tomorrow. Tickets for travel today will be valid for journeys tomorrow or on Sunday."
An earlier message on GWR's website says: "The railway is flooded in the Wootton Bassett area, between Swindon and Chippenham, until the water level reduces and safety checks are carried out, we are unable to run trains through the affected area. This means we are unable to run services between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads via Chippenham and Bath[2] Spa.
"Trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will run via a diversionary route between Reading and Bath Spa, this will extend journey times and means they will be unable to call at Swindon or Didcot Parkway. If you are at Swindon or Didcot Parkway wishing to travel towards Bristol or South Wales, you are advised to travel to Reading and change their for services towards Bristol Temple Meads. For South Wales change at Bristol Temple Meads for services towards Bristol Parkway and South Wales.
"While we are unable to run trains, you may use your train ticket, at no extra cost, on Stagecoach route 55 between Swindon (Bus Station) and Chippenham (Railway Station). If you wish to use a local bus as an alternative means of transport and the local bus is not accepting train tickets please purchase a ticket on the bus, keep it and send it, together with your train ticket, to us to claim for a refund.
Passengers have been advised to check how their journey could be impacted here[3]