After Christmas Eve, no main line trains will run to or from London Paddington until Monday, December 30.
This is to allow for work on the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common in west London, and Network Rail improvements to track, signals, and overhead wires between Reading and Paddington.
Most of Great Western Railway’s long-distance services will start from or terminate at Reading, where customers will be able to pick up connecting trains to Ealing Broadway, from where London Underground services run into central London.
Those travelling from south Wales, or from Devon and Cornwall, will each have an hourly service diverted into London Euston instead.
These trains will not stop at Reading.
To help keep customers comfortable and minimise crowding, these trains will be reservation only, so passengers must book beforehand.
Richard Rowland, GWR operations director, said: ”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.”
Those travelling are however warned that trains and stations over the Christmas period will be extremely busy.
The earlier you can travel before Christmas, or the later you can travel after it, the more comfortable your journey will be.
Network Rail western route director, Marcus Jones, said: ”Our festive upgrades ensure the railway runs reliably and safely.
“We thank passengers in advance for their patience and urge them to please check before they travel.”
Passengers are advised to check their journeys before travelling and to plan well in advance.
More information can be found on the GWR website.
