Problems expected throughout the day with TfL, Great Western Rail and Heathrow Express services affected
Commuters are being warned they face major disruption at one of
London’s busiest railway stations.
Trains are unable to run between London
Paddington and Slough or Heathrow airport due to severe damage to overhead electric wires near Ealing Broadway. The resultant loss of power supplies has stranded many trains between Paddington and Reading.
Great Western Railway is advising customers to not travel between London Paddington and Slough until at least midday on Wednesday, when two of the four lines are expected to reopen.
Travellers were also warned not to travel on long distance routes or towards London due to a reduced service affecting most mainline routes to and from Paddington. Train services will instead terminate and start at Reading.
The operator said: “Owing to the extent of the damage, no trains are expected to be able to operate between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington in either direction for much of Wednesday.
“As a result, GWR, TfL Rail and Heathrow Express will not be operating a train service between London Paddington, Hayes & Harlington or Slough until such time as repairs have been completed.”
It added: “If you are travelling from London beyond Reading please do not go to London Paddington but instead travel straight to either London Waterloo, London Marylebone or London Euston depending upon your ultimate destination.”
Network Rail said it was working to “recover all the stranded trains and to rectify the damage to the overhead electric wires,” but warned that disruption would last until the end of the day. A rail replacement bus service was operating between London Paddington and Heathrow.
It said: “Services to and from Reading and London Paddington station remain suspended this morning following severe damage caused to overhead equipment in the Hanwell area yesterday evening (Tuesday 16 October).
“We apologise to passengers affected by the disruption and our teams have been working through the night to open the railway as soon as possible.”
South Western Railway had also warned customers their trains into London would be busier than usual. Southern, Southeastern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express reported cancellations and delays of up to 45 minutes.