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Friday 21 Apr 2017

Passengers advised to check before they travel ahead of London Marathon

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Passengers heading to the London Marathon or into the capital on Sunday are advised to check before they travel as Network Rail carries out vital testing work on the Great Western mainline.

Anyone travelling between Reading and London Paddington should plan to start their journey after 8am where possible as buses will replace trains before this time.

Sunday’s works will see Network Rail carry out key testing on a 12 mile section of track west of London between Stockley Bridge Junction and Maidenhead with the line reopening at 8am. This section has recently had the Overhead Line Equipment installed for electrification and a second stage of testing will take place this weekend.

Travelling to the London Marathon?

Buses getting Marathon goers into London Paddington by 08:00 depart:

• Reading at 6.20am and 6.50am
• Slough at 6.40am and 7.10am
• Maidenhead at 6.30am and 7am

Travelling between Reading and London Paddington?

• A bus replacement service will operate between Reading and London Paddington
• Trains will continue to run between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington

Where possible customers are advised to travel after 8am or check before they travel and use the alternative routes provided. Passengers with tickets for Sunday morning will be able to travel on any GWR service on Sunday afternoon or evening.

Matthew Steele, Crossrail programme Director for Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their ongoing patience whilst we continue with this essential weekend testing.”