Those travelling ahead of Christmas will be pleased to hear there are no disruptions planned in the lead up to the big day.
However, works are set to cause changes to GWR train services in and out of London between Christmas and New Year which may impact some passengers in south Wales.
GWR services set to be affected this Christmas/New Year period
No trains will run to or from London Paddington from after Christmas Eve (December 24) until Monday, December 30, according to GWR.
⚠️🎄London Paddington at Christmas 🎄⚠️
Travel update – Friday 27 to Sunday 29 December 24
ℹ️ For more information go to https://t.co/eYfpHRj6s9
ℹ️ Check before you travel at https://t.co/Im3Xbe7h1x pic.twitter.com/bnPyic6F3X
— GWR (@GWRHelp) December 10, 2024
This is to allow for work on the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common (west London) and Network Rail improvements to track, signals and overhead wires between Reading and Paddington.
Network Rail Western Route Director, Marcus Jones said: “Our festive upgrades ensure the railway runs reliably and safely.
“Continued investment into upgrading and improving the railway is evidence of our commitment to providing a railway fit for the 21st century.
“We appreciate there is never a good time to disrupt journeys but whenever possible we do this at times when fewer people are travelling, such as at Christmas, on bank holidays or at weekends.
“We thank passengers in advance for their patience and urge them to please check before they travel.”
Most of Great Western Railway’s long-distance services will start from or terminate at Reading.
From there customers will be able to pick up connecting trains to Ealing Broadway, where London Underground services then run into central London.
Those travelling from South Wales (or from Devon and Cornwall), will however have an hourly service diverted into London Euston instead of stopping at Reading.
To help keep customers comfortable and minimise crowding, these trains will be reservation only, so make sure you book beforehand.
GWR operations director Richard Rowland said: ”One of the reasons we chose Euston was that its most convenient for many of our customers who are making journeys beyond West London.
“We’ve worked carefully with the team at Network Rail who manage that station to make sure we’ve got extra staff and managers to help customers.
“We will be transporting a little bit of Great Western Railway to Euston to keep people moving.”
Mr Rowland added: “This is a really complex operation, and we have worked hard to make sure people get to where they want to.
“It is really important to us that we can keep customers moving and get them to where they need to go this Christmas.”
Further disruptions to train services
Engineering work will also affect services through Westbury from Friday, December 27 to Thursday, January 23 (inclusive).
The railway through Westbury, as well as between Westbury and Salisbury, will be closed to enable track upgrades close to Westbury station and maintenance of the Sherrington viaduct.
Trains will be diverted or replaced by buses.
⚠️Westbury area track renewals⚠️
Travel update – Friday 27 December 2024 to Thursday 23 January 2025
ℹ️ To find out more go to https://t.co/ttqWVkxny6
ℹ️ Check before you travel at https://t.co/CQAQ48CRW7 pic.twitter.com/N9rZaXhJc9
— GWR (@GWRHelp) December 10, 2024
Passengers urged to plan Christmas journeys “well in advance”
GWR has warned passengers that trains and stations are set to be “extremely busy” over the Christmas period.
A spokesperson said: “The earlier you can travel before Christmas, or the later you can travel after it, the more comfortable your journey will be.”
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Passengers have also been advised to check their journeys before travelling and to plan well in advance.
You can check services and find out more information about Christmas travel via the GWR website (a link to which can be found above).
Those travelling are however warned that trains and stations over the Christmas period will be extremely busy.
