First Great Western (FGW) have issued (February 11 at 6.22 am) a plea for people “not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary”. They add that this is “not something we do lightly.”
Problems arose on Monday (February 10) when signalling and safety equipment was flooded between Paddington and Maidenhead. Several trains bound for Great Bedwyn and Pewsey were badly delayed.
Today (Tuesday) FGW can only run four trains an hour between Paddington and Reading in each direction. That is about one fifth of normally scheduled services.
“In recognition of the disruption expected, and to allow customers to postpone their journeys until later in the week, ticket restrictions have been lifted across the FGW network until Friday.”