Major Engineering Work at London Paddington from Saturday 26 December to Sunday 3 January 

Route(s) affected

All Elizabeth line services to / from / via London Paddington

All Great Western Railway services to / from London Paddington

All Heathrow Express services to / from London Paddington

Description

Major engineering work is taking place between Slough and London Paddington, closing all lines over the Christmas and New Year period.

Elizabeth line:

Saturday 26 December:

As part of the closure of the railway on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, no trains will run.

Sunday 27 December to Wednesday 30 December:

Trains will not run between London Paddington and Reading.

Trains will be amended to run between London Paddington and Stratford (London) / Abbey Wood only.

Rail replacement buses will run between Slough and Ealing Broadway / Hillingdon to help you complete your journey.

If you have a National Rail paper ticket or e-ticket, you can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following operators’ services:

• London Underground Piccadilly line services

  • Between Hillingdon and Ealing Common (to connect with rail replacement buses at Ealing Broadway)

  • Any reasonable route to / from Heathrow Airport

• Great Western Railway services between Reading and Slough

Thursday 31 December and Friday 1 January

Trains will not run between Reading and Slough.

Trains will be amended to run between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington / Stratford (London) / Abbey Wood only.

Rail replacement buses will run between Slough and Hayes & Harlington to help you complete your journey.

If you have a National Rail paper ticket or e-ticket, you can use your ticket at no extra cost on the Great Western Railway services between Reading and Slough.

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January

It is not yet known how Elizabeth line will be affected by these engineering works.

Great Western Railway:

Saturday 26 December:

As part of the closure of the railway on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, no trains will run.

Sunday 27 December to Sunday 3 January:

Long distance trains:

No long distance trains will run between Reading and London Paddington.

Trains that usually run between Carmarthen / Swansea / Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington will divert to run via Oxford / Milton Keynes Central (not calling at either) and run to / from London Euston instead of to / from London Paddington.

Trains that usually run between Penzance / Plymouth / Hereford / Great Malvern / Worcester / Swindon and London Paddington will be amended to start / terminate at Reading instead of starting / terminating at London Paddington.

Local trains:

No Great Western Railway trains will run between Slough and London Paddington.

An amended train service will run between Reading and Slough.

Trains between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central / Maidenhead / Marlow, and also between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames will operate normally.

Greenford - West Ealing: From Monday 28 December to Sunday 3 January, trains will not run between these stations. You can use your ticket at no extra cost on London Buses and London Underground services.

Great Western Railway ticket acceptance:

• Chiltern Railways between Oxford and London Marylebone

• South Western Railway between Reading and London Waterloo

• South Western Railway between Windsor & Eton Riverside (a short distance from Windsor & Eton Central) and London Waterloo

Heathrow Express:

Saturday 26 December to Wednesday 30 December:

No train services will run.

Thursday 31 December to Sunday 3 January:

A normal train service will run.

Check before you travel:

If you're travelling with Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express, or with Elizabeth line (up to and including Friday 1 January) you can plan your journey using the National Rail Journey Planner.

If you're travelling with Elizabeth line on Saturday 2 or Sunday 3 January, please check back closer to the time of travel.

If you are using contactless payment / Oyster card, you can also use the above alternative travel options but you will be required to pay the normal tap in / tap out fares for your journey.

You can plan your journey on London Underground / London Buses by using the Transport for London Journey Planner.

Replacement bus travel advice:

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and drop-off location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.