Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line severely disrupted as train derailment sparks rush hour chaos
Disruption is expected between Reading and London Paddington until at least midday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Train services between Reading and London Paddington have been severely disrupted after a frieght train derailed on the line, leading to chaos for commuters at rush hour and causing a major impact on Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services.
The stricken freight train was derailed around West Ealing, west London, on the line running westward to Reading, before 6.30am, leading to a string of delays and cancellations.
A statement from Great Western Railway (GWR) read: “Due to a derailed train between Reading and London Paddington some lines are blocked.
“Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 12:00 05/04.”
They said stopping services between Didcot Parkway and London Paddington will only operate between Didcot and Reading and services between Bedwyn/Newbury, and London Paddington will only operate between Bedwyn/Newbury and Reading.
“Customers should utilise GWR high speed services between Reading and London Paddington to complete their journeys,” the statement read.
Passengers affected by the derailment can use their Great Western Railway rail tickets to travel on the London Underground between Paddington and Waterloo until further notice.
The Heathrow Express, which connects the capital to the UK’s largest and busiest airport, is running at least one less service per hour, with a reduced timetable currently in place until the end of the day.
The disruption has also affected the Elizabeth Line.
A statement from TfL read: “Severe delays between Paddington and Reading / Heathrow Airport while we fix a faulty freight train in the West Ealing area. Good service on the rest of the line. London Underground accepting tickets.”
Some passengers today are attempting to make journeys that will be impossible tomorrow because of a strike by train drivers belonging to the Aslef union.
They are walking out at GWR on Saturday, halting all intercity trains. Strikes elsewhere are already under way, with no trains on Friday on Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway or West Midlands Railway.
An overtime ban is also causing cancellations across Britain.
Passengers on the Great Western line, connecting London with the West of England and South Wales, have endured months of disruption due to flooding, signal failures and points problems. Many of these have also hit the Elizabeth Line and the Heathrow Express.
Elsewhere in the UK, the Met Office has warned of travel disruption and issued a yellow weather warning for rain ahead of expected 70mph winds as Storm Kathleen approaches.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments