Commuters saw railway services between Reading and Wokingham cancelled this morning after an electrical fault on the lines.
The fault happened around 7.10am and power wasn’t restored until just after 9.15am this morning.
South Western Railways said that the issue was caused by an electricity supply problem and while services are now being restored, the delays may continue until lunchtime today.
In a statement on its website, the railway company outlined the issue: “Last night, one of our train services reported a problem with the electricity supply to trains between Wokingham and Reading. This resulted in the electricity supply being switched off.
“Network Rail, who own and maintain the railway infrastructure, sent engineers to site to inspect and rectify the fault. When they arrived on site, they discovered that numerous power cables had burnt out which needed to be replaced before our electric trains can again call at stations between Wokingham and Reading.
“Network Rail have now completed their repair work and the electricity supply has been restored.
“Efforts to recover the train service were hampered by a points failure near Wokingham at 7.10am this morning. Points are sections of track that enable trains to change from one line to another.
“This failure meant that trains were unable to run between Bracknell and Wokingham and Bracknell and Crowthorne in either direction. Network Rail staff have now repaired the points and lines are being re-opened.
“Due to the extensive disruption to services this morning, displacement of stock and train crews will mean that it will take some time before train services can return to normal. While recovery of the train service continues replacement road transport will remain in operation.
“Until the service returns to normal train services will be subject to short-notice alteration. For details of alterations to individual services please see our JourneyCheck page.”
Commuters have been able to use rail replacement services but as a result of the railway problems, the road network has been snarled up too.
Reading Buses has been affected, with services running late.
Route 4 and X4 are Delayed up to 45 minutes due to a Power outage on Rail line between Reading and Wokingham
— Reading Buses (@reading_buses) November 28, 2017
And commuters have been sharing their frustrations on social media
Wokingham station, no staff, no announcements, no one knows what’s going on pic.twitter.com/ksaWlxCkqi
— Niki (@nikimcglynn) November 28, 2017
Well this is fun…. @ Wokingham railway station https://t.co/pbBxzj7ZzI
— Becky Bartlett (@beckyisbonkers) November 28, 2017
