Those hoping for an early Christmas getaway will be pleased to know that there are no major planned alterations immediately before Christmas Day, but those hoping to travel between 27 and 29 December are being warned of significant changes.
After Christmas Eve no main line trains will run to or from London Paddington until Monday 30 December. This is to allow for work on the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common in west London, and Network Rail improvements to track, signals and overhead wires between Reading and Paddington.
Great Western Railway’s long-distance services will start from or terminate at Reading, where customers will be able to pick up connecting trains to Ealing Broadway from where London Underground services run into central London.
Those travelling are however warned that trains and stations over the Christmas period will be extremely busy. The earlier you can travel before Christmas, or the later you can travel after it, the more comfortable your journey will be.
Peter Gow, Project Client for Old Oak Common Station at HS2 Ltd, said: “Old Oak Common will be a super-hub of connectivity, bringing together HS2, Great Western mainline, and Heathrow Express services, as well as becoming the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line.
“The new station is a catalyst for transport-led regeneration of a previously industrial site in west London, with thousands of new homes and jobs to be created as part of the development. As we construct the new station, we are working collaboratively with our partners in the rail industry to reduce disruption to passengers.”