Gas leak shuts rail route between two major UK stations

Passengers travelling between the two major stations have been warned to expect widespread cancellations and delays, with disruption expected to continue throughout Wednesday, September 23.

CrossCountry said all lines between Oxford and Reading were blocked because of a gas leak near the railway. Services running to and from the affected stations have been cancelled or altered.

The incident is understood to be in the Didcot Parkway area. Network Rail said the leak is close to railway land and that trains cannot safely operate through the affected area while engineers work to make the site safe.

Network Rail has urged passengers not to travel between Reading and Swindon on Wednesday, warning of severe disruption. Engineers from gas distribution company SGN are working to repair the leak.

The disruption is having a significant impact on CrossCountry's long-distance network. Trains between the Midlands, northern England and destinations in southern England are being terminated or started at alternative stations.

CrossCountry's live service information shows cancellations and alterations affecting services involving Reading, Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham and destinations including Bournemouth and Southampton.

National Rail said the disruption affects both CrossCountry and Great Western Railway services, with trains unable to operate between Oxford/Didcot Parkway and Reading.

Passengers with affected CrossCountry tickets are being advised to consider alternative routes, including services operated by Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, GWR and London Underground, subject to the applicable arrangements.