Broken rail near West Drayton causes major disruption to Paddington services

Passengers travelling towards London Paddington are facing disruption after a broken rail was discovered near West Drayton railway station.

The fault has led to some lines being blocked, with services between Reading railway station and London Paddington railway station subject to delays of up to 10 minutes, cancellations and alterations. Major disruption is expected to continue throughout the day.

Great Western Railway has warned that local stopping services from Newbury and Didcot Parkway railway station will terminate at Reading instead of continuing into London. Services between Oxford and London Paddington have been cancelled entirely.

Passengers travelling between Reading and Paddington are being advised that tickets will be accepted on Elizabeth line services at no extra cost. Those travelling from Oxford can also use Chiltern Railways services to London Marylebone railway station as an alternative.

The Elizabeth line has confirmed that services normally running between Maidenhead and Abbey Wood will instead operate only between London Paddington and Abbey Wood. However, services between Reading and Abbey Wood, as well as those serving Heathrow Airport, are expected to run as normal.

Elizabeth line customers can also use their tickets on Great Western Railway services between Reading and Paddington, and on South Western Railway services between Reading and London Waterloo railway station.

Passengers are being urged to check their journeys before travelling, as disruption and alternative arrangements may change at short notice.

Image: Network Rail