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Wednesday 22 Nov 2023

Passengers are advised to plan ahead as engineering work will affect Christmas trains: preparatory works to start this weekend

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Those hoping for a late Christmas getaway are being advised to plan ahead as engineering work is set to impact services, with trains to and from Paddington also disrupted this Sunday (26 November). 

Work on HS2 is already well underway to deliver trains to Old Oak Common; as part of this, preparatory works will be undertaken by Network Rail for new signalling and track equipment near to London Paddington, meaning no trains will operate from the station on Sunday 24 and Wednesday 27 December. Services are not scheduled to operate on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.  

Train services to/from London Paddington will also be impacted this Sunday 26 November as preparatory work is undertaken:  

• Most GWR services start or terminate at Reading instead of London Paddington  
• Limited train services to or from Slough until midday, and then Ealing Broadway  

Those who need to travel on 24 or 27 December are being advised to allow plenty of time to reach their destination as journey times will be significantly longer than normal.  

Passengers looking to travel on either of these days should consider travelling on alternative dates for a more comfortable journey.  

Joanna Grew, Network Rail’s industry programme director, said: “Over the Christmas period, from Sunday 24 to Wednesday 27 December, we will be carrying out essential preparatory drainage and railway infrastructure works as part of the construction of HS2’s new station at Old Oak Common near London Paddington.  

“As part of this preparation, we also need to close the railway into Paddington on Sunday 26 November where we will also be completing essential railway works between Slough and Paddington which will enable a more reliable railway.  

“We appreciate there is never a good time to disrupt journeys but whenever possible we do this at times when fewer people are travelling, such as at Christmas, on bank holidays or at weekends.  

 “We thank passengers in advance for their patience and urge them to please check before they travel.”  

Dean Haynes, GWR’s station manager for London Paddington, said: “As we continue to invest in our railway, we will only be able to run trains to and from Reading and Ealing Broadway this Sunday and on 24 and 27 of December.  

“To keep you moving, we have been working with other train companies to provide alternative routes. However, if you can travel on the days before or after, you should consider doing so because journeys will take much longer while the work takes place.”   

Where will trains run?  

• Most GWR services will start or terminate at Reading instead of London Paddington  
• Limited train services to/from Ealing Broadway  

Customers travelling to or from central London can do so using London Underground’s District or Central line services at Ealing Broadway. The Elizabeth Line will not operate.  

Alternatively, GWR tickets can be used with South Western Railway between Reading and London Waterloo, or on Chiltern Railways between Oxford and London Marylebone instead.  

For the latest information, visit GWR.com/Christmas.  

HS2 is Britain’s new high speed, net zero carbon railway, with work well advanced on the new line from London to the West Midlands. For more information, visit the HS2 website.