Great Western Coffee Shop

Alterations to services between Hereford and Oxford

Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Hereford and Oxford all lines are closed.

Train services running through these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice

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Customers are strongly advised not to attempt to travel
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Owing to flooding at various locations we are unable to operate any further train services tonight along the route from Oxford via Evesham to Worcester and Hereford in either direction.

With the flooding also affecting many roads in the area it is regretted that we are unable to provide replacement transport options.

Given the prevailing conditions along the Cotswolds, journeys of any nature cannot be guaranteed. Any ticket holders may use their tickets tomorrow and any unused tickets may be submitted for a refund.

Alterations to services between London Paddington and Plymouth

Due to a shortage of train crew between London Paddington and Plymouth fewer trains are able to run on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 24/12/20.

Customer Advice

Due to a large number of positive COVID-19 cases at depots in the South West, we will be running an amended timetable between 21-27 December.
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Over the next few days, we will contact customers who have booked directly with us to help them make other arrangements. Customers can choose to travel on a different train or claim a refund if they no longer wish to travel. Customers who have booked through other companies should contact them directly.
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We may provide alternative road transport at key stations, and other train companies continue to provide services - although these are expected to be busy too. You may also be able to make your journey by coach. National Express, Megabus and Snap are putting on extra services during the travel window.
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If your train has been cancelled, you can use your ticket for travel on an earlier or later train between London Paddington and Plymouth. Extra stops will be added at Pewsey, Westbury, and Castle Cary, if the previous cancelled train would have called at there.
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If you choose not to travel because your train has been cancelled, you are entitled to a refund. Find out more at GWR.com/refunds.

Alterations to services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central
Alterations to services between London Paddington and Plymouth
Cancellations to services between Liskeard and Looe
Alterations to services between Swansea and Cardiff Central
Alterations to services between Reading and Gatwick Airport
Alterations to services between Crediton and Barnstaple
Alterations to services between Cardiff Central and Newport South Wales

Wonder if the TV cameras are there still?

Prayers have not been answered.  Looks like Cowley Bridge east of Exeter has flooded affecting the main line and services to Barnstaple and still problems on the North Cotswolds.

Road transport in place (westbound only) for the former and a Do Not Travel notice for the latter.

How much did the Cowley Bridge flood prevention barrier cost? Two times (at least) since installation, it has not been deployed and the line flooded.

Do we have confirmation that it has not been deployed?  It's not supposed to stop the line being closed (hard to have a barrier across the line that doesn't) but rather reduce damage and allow a quicker re-opening.

Had the Christmas restrictions not been tightened, it is worth remembering that a whole heap of people would have been making journeys today, rather than the trickle that are still travelling.

Disruption due to the flooding, as well as the staff shortages, would have led to a very miserable journey fo many.  At least that has thankfully been avoided.

Suggestion I have seen is that there were problems further north than Cowley Bridge too, and those are the ones remaining, with the Barnstaple line up and running again, but Exeter to Taunton still closed.