Easter Monday travel chaos as dozens of trains cancelled by rail firms (2025)

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded on Easter Monday after dozens of trains were cancelled following technical failures and a trespasser on the line.

Faults with the signalling systems and a stray commuter are among the causes of the travel chaos affecting the Great Western Railway (GWR) service.

As it stands, the only available route west is to HeathrowAirport.

GWR has confirmed fewer trains are able to run due to a fault with the signalling system at Twyford.

To add to the carnage, South Western Railway ticket acceptance is also described as now being 'revoked' due to the 'severe effect' of emergency services dealing with 'an incident on the line'.

As a result, 'services between London Paddington and Reading may be cancelled, delayed or revised'.

A spokesman added: 'Due to a significant signalling fault in the Twyford area, trains are unable to operate on the Great Western Mainline.

'Network Rail teams are on site at Thames Valley Signalling Centre and at Reading, working to resolve the issue. We are advising customers to avoid travelling where possible.'

Pictures show distressed travellers waiting around alongside their suitcases with nothing to do.

The disruption comes as many people arrive back from their Bank Holiday weekend.

It has been described by some angry customers as a 'fine mess'.

One person said on X: 'You folks must understand the impact of a cancelled or significantly delayed train on people, especially families, is far beyond a refund, even if it's a full one.'

Another added: 'What more can go wrong?'

And a third said: 'Paddington Station is a fine mess today. No trains running and no alternatives offered.'

Great Western Railway says customers withtickets dated 21.04.25 who wish to travel tomorrow 'may do so', due to the extent of the disruption.

Bosses are also understood to be laying on shuttle buses to Reading from Maidenhead.

Meanwhile, Chiltern Railways ticket acceptance has been described as being 'now revoked'.

Customers are being told by the organisation responsible to use local buses as an 'alternative means of transport'.

The local bus is unfortunately not accepting GWR tickets and so those who purchase a ticket on the bus are asked to keep it and send it, together with their train ticket, to claim for a refund.

As well as the cancellation of trains from London Paddington to Reading, there are also currently no services running from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads.

Services from Reading to Newbury and Basingstoke services have also been axed.

And Plymouth-bound passengers travelling via Taunton from Paddington will have nowhere to go either.

Anyone heading to Cheltenham Spa from Paddington via Swindon can expect huge delays.

Hereford trips from Paddington via Oxford and Cardiff Central trains from Paddington via Bristol Parkway are not in service.

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