Home » Latest Travel News of UK » Travel Chaos Strikes Key London Rail Link, Services Between Reading and London Paddington Halted Due to Technical Fault, GWR Apologises, Tickets Valid for Friday, Engineers Work to Restore Full Service

Published on
September 19, 2025

Travel chaos has erupted on one of London’s busiest rail corridors after services between Reading and London Paddington were brought to a complete halt due to a technical fault with the overhead line equipment. Great Western Railway (GWR) confirmed the disruption and apologised to passengers, explaining that engineers are working around the clock to repair the issue and restore full service. The disruption has left thousands of commuters and travellers stranded, with tickets for today’s cancelled services remaining valid for travel on Friday.

Rail travellers are being strongly urged to avoid the Reading to London Paddington route today, after all services on this key corridor were suspended due to a technical fault with the overhead line equipment. The issue has caused a complete blockage on the tracks, leaving commuters, tourists, and business travellers scrambling for alternatives.

Great Western Railway (GWR), which operates trains along this route, confirmed that the disruption stems from a fault in the high-voltage overhead lines. Engineers have been deployed immediately to assess the problem and carry out repairs, but the company warned that services are likely to remain heavily affected until the issue is fully resolved.

GWR issued an apology to passengers for the inconvenience and urged patience while teams work under strict safety protocols. Overhead line faults are complex to fix, as they involve high-voltage equipment and multiple tracks, which requires careful coordination to prevent accidents and ensure safe operations.

To ease the impact of the cancellations, GWR is allowing passengers to use alternative services. South Western Railway trains running between Reading and London Waterloo are accepting GWR tickets, providing a viable option for travellers heading into London. Similarly, Chiltern Railway services operating between London Marylebone and Oxford are also available to passengers holding valid GWR tickets. While these alternatives offer a route forward, passengers are advised that journeys may take longer than usual due to the detours and increased passenger numbers on substitute services.

Those who had planned to travel on today’s cancelled trains can also use their tickets for services on Friday, giving flexibility to reschedule trips. In addition, passengers affected by the disruption are eligible to claim compensation, ensuring that those who experience delays or extra expenses are not left out of pocket.

The timing of this disruption has added to the challenge, as the Reading to London line is a major artery for commuters. The line connects central London with towns and cities in the south of England, making it a critical route for daily business travel and leisure trips. As a result, the cancellations have wide-reaching consequences, impacting thousands of people and a variety of businesses that rely on punctual rail services.

GWR has advised passengers to check service updates frequently before setting out. Information on cancellations, delays, and recommended alternative routes is available via the company’s website and social media channels. Travellers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys, and consider flexible options, including adjusting travel times or routes where possible.

Safety remains the top priority during repair work. Engineers must follow strict protocols when working on high-voltage overhead equipment, which can mean slower progress but ensures that services can safely resume without risk to staff or passengers.

Customer support has been strengthened to assist those affected by the disruption. Staff are available at stations, online, and via phone to answer questions, offer guidance on alternative travel, and help with compensation claims. Passengers should keep hold of their tickets and receipts, as these are needed for reimbursement.

As repair efforts continue, delays are expected to persist until the overhead line fault is completely fixed. GWR has emphasised that monitoring updates and planning journeys carefully is essential for anyone travelling along this corridor.

Travel chaos has hit the Reading and London Paddington route after a technical fault halted all services, with GWR apologising, engineers working to restore operations, and tickets valid for Friday.

This incident underscores the importance of maintaining railway infrastructure and the challenges that arise when technical faults occur on busy commuter lines. While the disruption is inconvenient, taking advantage of alternative services and staying informed can help minimise its impact for passengers.