Rail passengers are being warned to allow extra time for journeys between Oxford, Reading and London over Christmas, due to major track renewals at Didcot.

Network Rail is spending £5.5m replacing 10 points at junctions east and north of Didcot Parkway Station between Christmas Day and Monday, January 2.

The rail firm said the work had been timed to minimise disruption, with the rail network closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while many commuters would be on holiday until the New Year.

During the line closure, buses will replace trains between Oxford and Didcot, and at Radley, Culham and Appleford stations.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “These points form a vital part of the link between Oxford and London. This work will reduce the long-term risk of delays in the future.”

To help keep passengers on the move, train operator First Great Western will add extra stops by trains at Didcot and will allow people holding car park season tickets for Oxford, Charlbury and Kingham stations to use the Foxhall car park at Didcot Parkway Station.

In addition, FGW has arranged with Chiltern Railways for passengers with FGW car park and rail seasons tickets from Oxford and Cotswold Line stations to use Chiltern trains between Bicester north of Haddenham and Thame Parkway Stations and London Marylebone.

FGW will run shuttle trains between Oxford and Worcester, and Oxford and Banbury, while CrossCountry Trains will run a special coach service between Oxford and Winchester for connecting trains to and from the South Coast.

A FGW spokesman said: “Five timetable booklets are available from our website and stations, detailing all the charges to services during this period.”