RAILWAY disruption caused by a fault at Didcot Parkway is now expected to last until the end of today.

Damage to the overhead electric wires meant that some lines are blocked, and services running through the station could be cancelled or delayed.

GWR first tweeted about the issue at 5.45am and it was originally hoped that the issue would be fixed by 4pm, but a further tweet late this afternoon stated: "Disruption to services to and from Didcot Parkway is now expected until the end of the day."

It is not specified what time exactly. 

Oxford Mail:

The departure board at Didcot this morning. Picture by Duncan Gibbons/ @DuncanJGibbons

Trains between Reading and Oxford cannot call at the station in either direction, meaning passengers travelling from Didcot to Oxford are having to travel via Reading and change there. 

In a statement to customers, GWR said: "Due to damage to overhead wires yesterday evening, train services between Reading and Oxford cannot call at Didcot Parkway in either direction.

"Customers travelling to / from Oxford, Radley, Culham, Appleford, Cholsey, Goring & Streatley, Pangborne or Tilehurst requiring travel specifically from / to Didcot Parkway have the option to travel via Reading, changing there for services on the route via Swindon which are able to call at Didcot Parkway or utilise the limited (hourly) shuttle train service serving all stations Oxford - Reading except Didcot Parkway."

Oxford Mail: Images appear to show an engineer doing work on power lines from on top of a train. Picture: Duncan GibbonsImages appear to show an engineer doing work on power lines from on top of a train. Picture: Duncan Gibbons

Picture: Duncan Gibbons/ @DuncanJGibbons

Media relations manager James Davis added: "Main line services through Didcot are unaffected. 

"Some high speed services will call additionally at Didcot."

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The company did not say how the damage had occurred, but added: "By changing at either Cholsey or any station Oxford - Appleford inclusive it will be possible to connect into / out of the road transport shuttle service which is operating a shuttle all stations service between Oxford and Cholsey and will serve Didcot Parkway.

"CrossCountry are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice."

Customers say they are also using rail replacement buses. 

Tickets will be valid on CrossCountry services via any reasonable route until further notice.

GWR have said the cause of the damage is 'currently under investigation'. 

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