Rail passengers travelling between Wales and London are set to face major disruption every Christmas until 2030. The construction of a new HS2 station at Old Oak Common in West London will impact train services into London Paddington. Great Western Railway has announced that there will be reduced services operating between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway or Heathrow Airport terminals during this period.
The disruption is not limited to the Christmas period, as there will be a complete halt to mainline trains to and from London Paddington on specific dates, including November 16 and 17 this year. The disruption over the Christmas period in 2024 will occur from December 27 to 29, following a two-day suspension for Christmas. Subsequent festive periods until 2030 will also experience closures, including an 18-day closure in 2028 affecting the return to work in January.
During these disruptions, GWR will divert long-distance trains from Cornwall, Devon, and south Wales to Euston, with some services terminating at Reading or Ealing Broadway. Despite longer journey times of about 15 minutes, GWR is determined to ensure passengers reach central London directly.
Specific details for the disruptive weekends have been outlined. On November 16, fewer services will run between London Paddington and Reading, with no mainline services to Heathrow Airport. On November 17, there will be no services between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway, with GWR trains operating between London Euston and Swansea/Carmarthen, and Plymouth/Penzance, with restricted service until midday.
Passengers are advised to plan for changes in long-distance trains and make necessary connections during this period. The Night Riviera sleeper service will terminate at London Euston. Further disruptions are expected during subsequent Christmas periods until 2030.
Old Oak Common station, under construction three miles west of London Paddington, will be a vital hub for future rail services. The station will accommodate high-speed and conventional rail services, providing 14 platforms in total.
GWR aims to minimize inconvenience by diverting services and maintaining customer service standards. The company assures passengers of assistance in navigating through alternative routes and connections. Overall, although longer journey times are anticipated, efforts are in place to ensure a smooth transition for rail passengers during the disruption.