GWR and Reading rail services disrupted by power line damage

Damage to overhead cables is causing disruption to rail services between London Paddington, Reading, Bristol and South Wales.

Power cables came down overnight near Slough, blocking the fast rail lines between Paddington and Reading.

Dozens of train services have been cancelled. Heathrow services are unaffected.

Network Rail said its engineers would work through the night but disruption was expected continue into Thursday.

A statement from the company said: "Network Rail engineers are currently onsite making repairs to damaged overhead electrical wires and they will continue working throughout the night to ensure all four lines are able to reopen tomorrow [Thursday] morning."

It said some local stopping services would start and finish at Reading on Thursday, while long distance services would operate as normal.

Passengers are also being warned of some cancellations to late night trains on Thursday as engineers reinstate electric power to the wires.

David Davidson, Network Rail interim Western route director, said: "I'd like to apologise to any passengers who have been affected today by the damage to the overhead electrical wires.

"We will need to close this stretch of railway a little earlier than usual tomorrow evening to enable our engineers to complete the repairs and reinstate the wires so full services can resume on Friday morning."

Elizabeth Line services west of London Paddington will terminate at West Drayton on Wednesday evening.

GWR said passengers using local buses should keep their tickets and send them together with their train tickets for a refund.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].