Over running engineering works has been blamed for delays hitting trains from Wokingham station this morning – and the delays are now causing more delays.
Commuters have been left stranded at Wokingham after several South West Trains were delayed or cancelled without warning. As a result, First Great Western trains will now be calling at Earley, Winnersh Triangle and Winnersh to help – but South West Trains warn that the delays could continue until 11am this morning.
South West Trains has just added that the delays are now causing congestion around the Clapham Junction area, which means that there are additional 10 minutes delays to this morning’s commute.
Its latest statement said: “Congestion is delaying our trains by up to 10 minutes between Clapham Junction and London Waterloo as a result of a number of incidents affecting our trains earlier today. This includes overrunning engineering works between Virginia Water and Reading, and a problem at a level crossing at Poole. This has meant that many of our crews were not in the correct place to operate their next trains. All of our spare train crews are currently operating services and we are utilising as many of our resources as possible to get the service back to normal.
“Due to the frequency of services on the fast and slow lines in the morning peak time, short delays can quickly build up, and the short time our trains spend at London Waterloo can mean that trains are delayed on their next journey. We are working to bring services back to normal, though this may require altering some services to do so.”
Earlier this morning, South West Trains website revealed that the delays have been caused by works taking place at Virginia Water.
It says: “The line between Virginia Water and Reading has now reopened after overrunning engineering works this morning. This has affected trains between Ascot and Ash Vale, and alterations and delays of up to 30 minutes will affect many trains on this route until 11.00 this morning.
“Great Western Railway services will call additionally at Earley, Winnersh Triangle and Winnersh until further notice.
“Customers with South West Trains tickets can use London Underground Bakerloo Line services to London Paddington, and Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and Reading and Windsor. A journey time of 1 hour 5 minutes to Reading and 1 hour 15 minutes to Windsor should be expected on this route.
“We have arranged for replacement road transport, and 4 coaches are now calling at all stations between Virginia Water and Reading. Customers can also use their rail tickets for travel on Stagecoach Routes 1 between Aldershot and Camberley.”
The affected trains include:
06:12 Reading to London Waterloo – This train will be started from Virginia Water.
06:23 Reading to London Waterloo will not run.
06:23 Ascot to Guildford – This train will be started from Aldershot.
06:42 Reading to London Waterloo – This train will be started from Staines.
07:12 Reading to London Waterloo – This train will be started from Staines.
