Red weather warning and further heavy expected to impact rail services

Significant disruption to Great Western Railway services is expected to continue during Thursday 1 March and throughout Friday 2 March, after the Met Office updated weather warnings.

With the Met Office Red weather warning issued for the South West, and anticipated heavy snow fall expected to affect Devon, North Somerset, Somerset, and the Cotswolds, GWR is warning customers that it is expecting to only be able to offer a significantly reduced service, and where trains are able to run they may be delayed or subject to extended journey times.

Reducing the number of trains on the network in a planned way allows the services that do run to operate more smoothly, reducing congestion and delays during difficult conditions.

Where trains are cancelled and branch line routes suspended, GWR will not be able to provide road replacement transport due to road conditions.

Customers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Ticket arrangements

Customers with Advance Purchase and Off Peak tickets for travel on Thursday 1 or Friday 2 March will be able to travel to their booked destination on any GWR service up to and including Monday 5 March.

GWR is waiving its normal fee for refunds for customers who have already bought tickets and decide not to travel.

For Season Ticket Holders, a void day has been declared for Thursday 1 March. Details about when these will be applied will be published in due course.

Replacement road transport

Where we are unable to run a train service because of the weather, we will also be unable to use taxis or buses. Road conditions will not be safe for road transport to be used as an alternative and we advise you not to travel on these routes.

Train services

We will work to operate as many trains as possible, and detailed timetables are yet to be finalised, however the train company is expecting to be able to operate approximately half of its long-distance services, as per the following plan:

• Bristol Temple Meads (and station stops in between): one train an hour
• Swansea (calling at Cardiff Central): one train an hour
• North Cotswolds via Oxford: one train an hour
• South Cotswolds (change at Swindon for shuttle service)
• Devon and Cornwall: one train an hour

London and Thames Valley services will continue to operate, but may be delayed or cancelled at short notice.

Night Riviera Sleeper service

High winds run the real risk of debris being washed onto the track along some parts of the Devon coastline, and as a result the Night Riviera sleeper service has been cancelled in both directions (Thursday 1 March). It is expected to run on Friday 2 March.

North Downs

On Friday 2 March the we will not be able to run a train service between Reading and Gatwick, as Network Rail work to replace a non-weather related points failure.

Between Plymouth and Penzance – Timetabled service operating

On Thursday 1 March, we expect to be able to run the timetabled train service between Plymouth and Penzance, however please allow extra time for your journey as some journey times may be extended as a result of weather conditions.

Branch Line services

Between St Erth and St Ives: Suspended

On Thursday 1 March and Friday 2 March we will not be able to run services between St Erth and St Ives. This is due to snow conditions affecting the points for trains to join and leave the branch line.

Between Truro and Falmouth Docks: Hourly Service

On Thursday 1 March and Friday 2 March, we are running a train service between Truro and Falmouth Docks.

Between Par and Newquay: Suspended

On Thursday 1 March and Friday 2 March, we are not able to run a train service between Par and Newquay. This is due to the anticipated snow conditions affecting the points for trains to join and leave the branch line.

Between Liskeard and Looe: Suspended

On Thursday 1 March and Friday 2 March, we are not able to run a train service between Liskeard and Looe.

Between Plymouth and Gunnislake

On Thursday 1 March and Friday 2 March, we are not able to run a train service between Plymouth and Gunnislake. This is due to the anticipated snow conditions affecting the points for trains to join and leave the branch line. You are advised not to travel between Plymouth and Gunnislake.

Before you travel, please allow plenty of time and check your journey before you set out.

For more information on the impact of snow and ice on the railway, please visit Network Rail’s Delays Explained: Snow and Ice page.

Pre-planned engineering works

Where train services are being replaced by bus services for pre-planned engineering works over the next 48 hours, and into the weekend, road conditions may impact GWR’s being able to offer a replacement bus. Please check before you travel.