Following damage to the overhead electric wires between Reading and London Paddington partial reopening of some train lines has begun, with disruption continuing. 

Great Western Railways (GWR) has confirmed that train services running to and from these two stations will be cancelled, delayed or terminated at and started back from Reading, with disruption expected to last until 3pm today (Friday, December 8).

Passengers are being advised not to attempt to make rail journeys between Reading and London Paddington at the present time.

An update from GWR said: “At the moment we're running in a contingency plan between Reading and London Paddington which results in a much reduced service for both Great Western Railway and MTR Elizabeth line.”

The following cancellations on services to Oxford and London Paddington services have been confirmed:

- Didcot Parkway to London Paddington services operating between Didcot and Reading only;

- Newbury to London Paddington services operating between Newbury and Reading only;

- cancellations to some London Paddington to Cardiff Central services (Swansea services still running);

- cancellations to some Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington services;

- cancellations to some Heathrow Express services.

GWR said: “We will endeavour to run all other long-distance services where we can though due to the nature of the disruption we've experienced, recover is going to take considerable time whilst we get trains and crew into the correct positions across the network. This is of course further hindered by the fact we're in Industrial Action today.

“As a result of the above alterations to GWR services, our customers are advised that if choosing to travel towards London Paddington this morning, please be prepared to change trains at Reading.”

GWR confirmed that customers with tickets dated for today (Friday, December 9) can be used on services tomorrow (Saturday, December 9).