Bristol train passengers hit by delays

Passengers coming to Bristol Temple Meads today are facing huge delays over signalling problems.

There are no trains currently running into Bristol from Bath.

Reports said there were problems between Bristol and Warminster, and between Bristol and Didcot Parkway due to signalling problem between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa.

Passengers are facing delays of about 45 minutes in freezing temperatures.

People stuck on trains trying to get into Bristol today have been contacting the Bristol Post to say that they were being 'walked' along the train lines by guards.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: "Due to a cable fault First Great Western is unable to run any trains from Bath to Bristol. However trains are still running from Bristol to Bath.

"The problem is expected to continue until 12noon."

First Great Western said that engineers were working as fast as possible to restore services to normal, but told passengers to expect short notice alterations, cancellations and delays.

All services from London Paddington to Bristol have been diverted from Swindon and are not calliing at Chippenham or Bath Spa, with passengers being told to get off the trains and take replacement buses.

Meanwhile, trains from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington are continue on their normal route but with delays expected until at least noon today.

The hourly departures from Temple Meads will also call at Keynsham and Oldfield Park.

Update 11.30am Tuesday

First Great Western have said today's problems were caused by a fault in power cables which supply the electricity system to the signals between Bristol and Bath.

It said engineers from Network Rail were repairing the fault and should have everything back to normal by 2pm, not by midday as the firm had earlier hoped for.

A spokesman said it was still looking into the cause of the fault and apologised for any delays.