In that context, worth looking at the latest figures & GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s contribution to them!

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/passenger-experience/delay-compensation-claims/

Staggering figure - funded by the taxpayer, naturally.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/17/record-compensation-payouts-passengers-uk-train-delays

15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47
15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

18:02 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 20:29
18:02 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

The answer would appear to be "yes"!

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/new-firm-to-run-direct-trains-from-london-to-carmarthen-and-stirling/ar-BB1lDbRC?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=6b53130856a94efaa1c9049a03e2cfe6&ei=20

There are moderate/severe weather warnings for wind in place for most of England & Northern France so I wouldn't assume you're being told "porkies"......hope the crossing isn't too choppy!

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/plans-to-give-millions-across-britain-access-to-new-long-distance-rail-routes/ar-BB1lC778?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=d8f1a175535741dab813a5d64029edd9&ei=12

Interesting..........likely to happen?

Rather embarrassing.

Goes without saying 

I wonder how much it costs GWR to change the booking, compared to how much they charged you?

Perhaps I should apologise.

Given its title I thought that this thread covered "infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere"

The incident to which my post referred which has apparently (to my amazement) created so much brouhaha was a level crossing problem in Kintbury (in the Thames Valley) which affected services to and from Newbury (in the Thames Valley) and Bedwyn - incidents between these two stations have been posted previously under this heading by others without comment so didn't think it would be an issue.

The definition of the Thames Valley is as follows;

The Thames Valley area covers the 8 local authorities of Bracknell Forest Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

(Newbury/Kintbury are covered by West Berkshire Council)

Anyway............I will now don sackcloth and ashes and contemplate the error of my ways! Have a good day all, hopefully uninterrupted by infrastructure problems, in whichever geographically distinct location they may be!

.....on Channel 5 now....

"Shocking investigation into British railways, which can be slower and more expensive than flying, have had harmful pathogens detected on them and aren't immune to accidents"

Thanks for the information. I've contacted the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police instructing him to withdraw his officers from Newbury and also advised West Berkshire Council that they should relocate...I'll drop a line to Oxford University too! 

https://www.ox.ac.uk/oxfordforSE/thames-valley#:~:text=The%20Thames%20Valley%20area%20covers,Council%20and%20Wokingham%20Borough%20Council.

Delays to services between Newbury and Bedwyn

Due to a fault with barriers at a level crossing between Newbury and Bedwyn trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.

Train services running through these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day

14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01
14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 will be cancelled.
This is due to a member of on-train staff being taken ill.

15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59
15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59 will be cancelled.
This is due to a member of on-train staff being taken ill.

Who?