Great Western Coffee Shop

Various problems across the FGW network due to adverse weather conditions. These include:

Newport (South Wales) - Swindon. Flooding in the Chipping Sodbury area. Water now receded and services returning to normal as at 1325. Delays up to 30 minutes expected.

Nailsea & Backwell - Bristol Temple Meads. Flooding in the Flax Bourton Tunnel. Lines were blocked and replacement road transport in operation. Up line reopened at line speed and down line 5mph ESR as at 1340. Local bus services are conveying passengers between Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for First Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys. First Buses are accepting First Great Western ticket holders between Taunton and Bristol TM by any reasonable route. Cross Country services are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for First Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.

Great Malvern - Hereford. Ballast washed away in the Colwall area, hole appeared under track. Line closed until further notice. Replacement coach shuttle in operation between Hereford and Great Malvern calling intermediate stations. FGW services to/from Hereford are terminating/starting at Worcester Shrub Hill. Tickets also being accepted by reasonable alternative routes. As at 1359.

Earlier in the day there were also delays and cancellations due to flooding between Tiverton and Taunton and in the Patchway Tunnels.

Certainly is foul out there.  I was planning to go to South Devon today but decided against it on the basis of last night's weather forecast.   I see FGW website is advising people not to travel unless they have to.  The BBC are also saying some bus services in the Bristol area have been withdrawn.

I haven't seen flooding reported at Cowley Bridge just outside Exeter reported for a while.  Have they taken steps there to alleviate things or has the weather just been kinder there in recent times?

There is some disruption further up the line at Hele & Bradninch level crossing. The River Culm having burst its banks. Flood water isn't above rail height but a precautionary ESR of 5mph is in place on both lines.

..and now reports of problems along the sea wall around Dawlish.....

Left Portishead at 7.20 am on the 357 bus  arrived Hippodrome 9.40am. In 50 years travelling backwards and forwards I have never taken this long to get into Bristol.... 2hr 20 mins.  If ever there was a need for the Portishead branch to be reopened ASAP this was it !
1041 Great Malvern train delayed  30 mins at TM and then again at Westerleigh junction by wagons  coming north from the long Pucklechurch siding on to the main line.. Finally arrived Gloucester 1220...5 hours !

Glad to say i di the return journey in less than half the time 2 hr 20 min !