A DRY spell for Swindon yesterday was short lived as more wind and rain is predicted for the next few days.

But there was misery for rail travellers as flooding on the main line approaching London had a major impact on services.

Disruption for Swindon commuters will continue into today and may run on until the end of the week as flooding at Maidenhead plays havoc with access in and out of London.

Inspections of the track between Paddington and Maidenhead on Monday evening and Tuesday morning turned yesterday’s timetable on its head, with the service down to three trains an hour between Swindon and the capital.

First Great Western, who operate Swindon railway station, is advising passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Due to the flooding, trains are running at a reduced speed between Paddington and Reading, with journey times extended to as much as 60 minutes on those trains which are continuing to run.

Yesterday there was one scheduled train per hour being cancelled through Swindon, with those trains due to leave Swindon at 59 minutes past the hour being cut, and this is expected to continue today.

As a result, any passengers trying to reach Great Bedwyn from Swindon via Reading, will need to make an earlier departure from Swindon to make their connecting train.

Passengers can postpone their journey and use their tickets later in the week. Ticket restrictions have been lifted across the First Great Western network until Friday. Services running between Cheltenham and Paddington will only run between Cheltenham and Swindon, with Kemble included in that arrangement.

Trains between London Paddington and Cardiff only will not run.

Stopping services between Paddington and Reading will only run between London Paddington and Maidenhead.

Stopping services between London Paddington and Oxford will only run between Twyford and Didcot Parkway.

The situation will change throughout today and Network Rail will issue ongoing instructions in response to the weather.

Passengers are advised to check the National Rail Enquiries website for the very latest information.

Elsewhere, police were called to the A361 between Highworth and South Marston at 10am yesterday morning after a tree came down in the wind. Swindon Council was tasked with clearing the scene and nobody was injured.

 

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And on Monday, police were called by a member of the public who was concerned that youths were jumping in to the subway, above, between Covingham and Nythe, which had become heavily flooded.