Posted 20th September 2022 | 3 Comments

Wires damage continues to block Great Western

library picture of OHLE damage

(library picture)

Damage to the overhead wires at Hayes & Harlington is likely to keep the Great Western Main Line closed between Ealing Broadway and Reading until around midday, according to Network Rail.

Engineers went to the scene early yesterday, after the incident apparently occurred at about 06.30.

All four lines are closed at the scene, and the main train service from London Paddington is the eastbound Elizabeth Line to Abbey Wood, although a limited shuttle has started running between Paddington and Ealing Broadway about every 30 minutes.

It is reported that about 2km of wire was damaged, and repairs are continuing.

The blockage caused problems yesterday for thousands of people travelling to London from the west of England and south Wales to the state funeral of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They had to change at Reading for trains to London Waterloo, and that remains the principal travel advice this morning.

However, Oxford and Banbury passengers can also use Chiltern Railways to and from London Marylebone.

The cause of the damage has not yet been revealed.

Reader Comments:

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  • Neil Palmer, Waterloo

    Looks like whatever caused this might be contagious. Seems to have struck around Stevenage now.

  • Mike Smith, Cardiff

    Any idea what could have damaged 2kms of overhead lines on all four line??

  • Neil Palmer, Waterloo

    On the surface this appears to be an abject failure to manage the situation by Network Rail and GWR. With a four track railway and the number of bi-modes GWR has surely something could have been arranged, after removing the damaged wiring from tracks, to initiate two line working with a speed restriction while Network Rail repaired two lines, then switch over and repair the other two. The blanket cancelling of almost every service west of Paddington seems to be unjustified if a proper plan had existed for dealing with a situation like this.