NETWORK Rail bosses said they could have answers for commuters today into the causes of last week’s signalling problems.

Passengers travelling on the Great Western Main Line through Oxfordshire to London Paddington suffered delays throughout last week because of problems with signalling equipment.

There were signalling problems in two places in east Berkshire, causing numerous delays.

Network Rail admitted that the performance had been “well below” the standards passengers deserved and expected.

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Spokeswoman Victoria Bradley said: “Everything has returned to normal but we are still conducting an investigation into the signalling problems that occurred last week.

“It was not just one issue at one place last week and some of the investigation work can only be conducted when the trains are not running.

“We are hoping to be able to provide more information today.”

Chris Bates, chairman of the Cherwell Rail Users’ Group, said last week that seven out of 10 peak time services for the week were affected and claimed it was the worst week for commuters in 30 years.

He warned the situation could be repeated until electrification of the Great Western route was complete.

Work between London and Bristol, including Newbury and Oxford, will be completed by 2016, with the route to Cardiff electrified by 2017.


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