This flooded track is the rail mainline to London from south Wales

This is picture shows why there is chaos along the main train network between south Wales and London on Friday (January 5). Network Rail released the picture of the platform at Newbury, west of Reading.

Great Western has warned of significant disruption today (Friday) and is advising those planning to travel to check their journeys beforehand and to travel as early as possible. In the morning, there was only one route to the west from Paddington with flooding blocking direct services to south Wales and Devon and Cornwall.

Additionally, a "serious incident" near Reading on Thursday night where police closed the railway until the early hours of this morning left trains and crew in the wrong place for the start of service, which alongside the flooding, continues to hamper the operator’s ability to run trains.

Hundreds of flood warnings remain in place after heavy downpours across parts of the UK. Homes across the Midlands of England were inundated on Thursday while parts of southern England including Gloucestershire were also submerged.

On Friday morning, a total of 302 flood warnings were in place in England, as well as 13 in Wales, with forecasters predicting showers could continue.

It was drier in Wales on Thursday but the highest rainfall totals recorded in England were 35.2mm at Otterbourne in Hampshire, with a wide range of 20-30mm across much of the southern counties of the country. The Environment Agency said ongoing impacts are likely across much of England over the next five days.

It comes after disruption caused by strong winds and rain from Storm Henk earlier in the week, which has left the ground saturated and more prone to flooding.

Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident on Thursday due to rising levels along the River Trent and several residents of Radcliffe Residential Park, an estate of static caravans for the over-55s just to the east of the city, were evacuated.

In Gloucestershire, police warned of road closures due to rising water levels around Tewkesbury. An evacuation centre was set up in the nearby village Walton Cardiff[3] while people living on Alney Island, between two branches of the River Severn, in nearby Gloucester were urged to leave their homes overnight for a nearby leisure centre.

GWR's alert for passengers says: "We're experiencing significant disruption on the network. Please check before you travel.

"Flooding and a serious incident near Reading last night, which involved police taking control of the line, has left trains and crew in the wrong place. We're sorry for the disruption customers experienced.

"Short-notice cancellations and a reduced level of service on long-distance routes are expected throughout the day."

The incident near Reading involved a person being struck by a train.

Customers with tickets for Thursday 4 and Friday 5 January are able to travel up to and including Saturday, January 6.

Localised flooding means the line is closed between:

  • Reading and Taunton
  • Swindon and Bristol Parkway

With fewer trains able to operate those that can will be very busy. GWR expects to be able to operate a train an hour on the following routes, between:

  • London Paddington and Weston-Super-Mare via Bristol Temple Meads
  • London Paddington and Swansea (via Bristol Temple Meads)
  • London Paddington and Plymouth/Penzance

Services between London Paddington and the North Cotswolds (via Oxford), and the South Cotswolds continue to operate but could be reduced due to the disruption caused by flooding elsewhere. Services in London and the Thames Valley continue to operate, however flooding at Didcot station is preventing some services from being able to stop there.

If you’ve been affected by delays, you can find out more about claiming compensation at GWR.com/delayrepay.

Customers who purchased tickets but do not travel can claim a full refund[4] or amend their ticket[5]. Those who travel and are delayed may be entitled toDelay Repay compensation[6] if they are delayed by 15 minutes or more.

References

  1. ^ Chances of snow in January are growing, say BBC forecasters (www.walesonline.co.uk)
  2. ^ Welsh holiday park underwater after severe flooding (www.walesonline.co.uk)
  3. ^ Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
  4. ^ claim a full refund (refunds.gwr.com)
  5. ^ amend their ticket (www.gwr.com)
  6. ^ Delay Repay compensation (www.gwr.com)

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