People stranded in signal chaos

FGW are advising commuters not to travel from Oxford or Didcot

Hundreds of commuters were stranded in Oxfordshire after Network Rail suffered signalling failures, causing major disruption to services.

People had been warned not to travel by train from Oxford or Didcot on Tuesday morning unless absolutely necessary.

Many trains were cancelled, and one commuter told the BBC about 200 people were milling about at Didcot Parkway without anywhere to go.

Network Rail said normal service resumed later in the morning.

We apologise to passengers caught up in that but the good news is that things are back running normally now Network Rail spokeswoman

Services to London Paddington, Reading, Swindon, Bristol and south Wales were among those affected.

"Round about 5.20am there was a power surge in the Swindon area, which caused a failure to signalling," a Network Rail spokesman said.

"A lot of services were disrupted and some were sadly cancelled this morning.

"We apologise to passengers caught up in that but the good news is that things are back running normally now."

'Absolute nonsense'

One commuter at Didcot Parkway earlier told the BBC no information was being given to commuters.

"It's absolute nonsense," he said.

"No explanation is being given as to when people can travel.

"About 200 people are milling about Didcot Parkway without anywhere to go."

First Great Western (FGW) warned travellers to expect delays of up to an hour.

Some buses replaced services at both stations but FGW said it was having difficulty getting hold of its usual replacement service due to Royal Ascot.

A spokeswoman for the firm had advised customers not to attempt to travel from either Oxford or Didcot unless it was "absolutely essential".