Trains Cancelled Between Guildford And Reading Due To Cracked Set Of Points

Published on: 1 Mar, 2018
Updated on: 2 Mar, 2018

There are significant disruptions on the railway line between Guildford to Reading owing to a crack in a set of points at Wokingham.

A bus service, from today, March 1, to Saturday, March 10, to take rail passengers between Reading and Guildford will be limited, and could be further curtailed by the weather according to train operator Great Western Railway (GWR).

It is advising passengers to use alternative rail routes, where possible, and has secured ticket acceptance for this.

In a statement this morning from Mark Hopwood, the managing director of GWR, said: Network Rail identified a crack in a set of points at Wokingham had lengthened earlier today. As a result, until it can repair them the points can only be set in one position.

“Network Rail has taken the decision to set them for London Waterloo, keeping trains on that route operating. We will not therefore be able to run rail services from Reading to Guildford. This will affect all our North Downs services to Gatwick.

“We are working hard to put an alternative timetable in place, details of which are here https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/live-network-updates/pidd-disruption-information

“We are also working on alternatives for Friday, the weekend and next week, and will have details on our website as soon as we have the plan in place.

“We are briefing staff tonight, and will be using traditional and social media to give customers as much advance information as possible.

“We fully recognise the impact a closure of this length will have on customers’ journeys, on schools and business in the North Downs and indeed on the airport.

“I am working closely with Network Rail and am asking them to explain how this position has arisen and why a solution cannot be found quicker, we are asking that they do all they can do reduce the time taken for repair so that we can re-open the line sooner if at all possible, and we will keep you updated.”

Responses to Trains Cancelled Between Guildford And Reading Due To Cracked Set Of Points

Ben Darnton Reply

March 3, 2018 at 10:00 pm

It was chaotic at Guildford railway station on Friday evening (March 2) with nearly all trains cancelled.

I felt sorry for the staff who had no information to give to passengers.

Fortunately I had my bike with me so I cycled back home to Mayford in the snow and ice.
Jim Allen Reply

March 4, 2018 at 7:40 am

‘Simplification’ of the rail tracks has led to this situation.

Wokingham used to have a cross over as did Crowthorne and BlackWater, but all have been removed.

Therefore, they can’t send a train from Guildford to Crowthorne by moving it on to the down line, for the return journey.

What was a temporary three-mile bus service for rail passengers from Crowthorne to Wokingham has now become a bus journey from Reading to Guildford.

Please bring back the days of steam!

And just how long does it take to replace a section of points?
David Wragg Reply

March 4, 2018 at 12:54 pm

To answer Mr Allen’s question, it all depends on whether it is a standard set, in which case spares should be in stock, or a bespoke set. The railways have tried to standardise points over the years, but in some situations this is not possible. If this is the case, it will take some time.

I do agree that track simplification has gone too far in too many cases.