Major delays as track work begins

Rail travellers are being warned to expect major delays as engineering work gets under way and closes a major route.

Network Rail, the railway infrastructure operator, has closed the track between Maidenhead and Slough in Berkshire for 10 days to carry out repairs.

The programme started at 2300 BST on Friday, 15, August and will be completed on Tuesday, 26 August, at 0430 BST.

The disruption is likely to peak over the Bank Holiday weekend when there will not be any direct services running between Reading and London.

Crucial work

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Obviously there is never a good time to carry out engineering work.

"However, the advantage of conducting work over the Bank Holiday is you can get much more done."

Some services between Oxford and London will also be affected, which means there will be changes to First Great Western Trains timetable.

Passengers are being advised to take a longer route to Waterloo or use alternative bus services that are being laid on.

This is crucial engineering work for the Slough area. It will improve track quality and avoid the need for severe line speed restrictions over several miles. Network Rail spokesman

As a result of the planned programme, thousands of music lovers expected to travel to the Reading Festival are being warned to ensure they check with their train company to see how the can avoid the worst of the delays.

The spokesman added: "This is crucial engineering work to the Slough area.

"It will improve track quality and avoid the need for severe line speed restrictions over several miles."

Most Thames Trains services to and from London will be significantly altered as a result of the engineering work.