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Newsletter 327: 23/07/2026
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Requests for Interim Improvements Report
We have collated a report requesting interim improvements to partially alleviate the problems caused by the shuttle between Newbury and Bedwyn. We have presented this to GWR and also sent copies to the DfT and the local MPs.
You can read the report at https://tinyurl.com/BTPGInterim
Following a spate of recent missed connections and delays, we asked the MPs (Danny Kruger and Lee Dillon) to step in and, in turn, they have asked GWR for a full response to our report.
GWR Community Rail & Stakeholder Conference
On July 3rd Bill Wells and I attended the ‘GWR Community Rail & Stakeholder Conference’ at the Steam Museum in Swindon. Points to note (relevant to us):
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We handed printed copies of our ‘Requests for Interim Improvements’ report to Mark Hopwood (MD of GWR), Mat Cambourne (head of train planning at GWR) and Tom Lydon (head of public affairs).
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The class 175s continue to be slowly rolled out in the South West. This will free up IETs, including the three that were taken away from us in 2022. As previously stated we campaign for their reassignment to us, but there is no guarantee that this will happen.
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There is a realisation in the industry that better trains and improved services will increase revenue. This counters the DFT’s current position to only look for savings, not investment.
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Over the next year, the IET trains will undergo a refit of the seat cushions. This is to resolve the issue where the cushioning is collapsing, causing a metal bar to form an uncomfortable ridge.
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If you sign up for GWR rewards, you’ll get (I) 40% off your next return ticket (booked as two GWR-only Single Advance tickets) (ii) a free hot drink onboard (iii) food and drink discounts. Please see https://www.gwr.com/rewards
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Jason Salter, from Wiltshire Council, gave a presentation on the Wiltshire Connect bus service. Part of his presentation showed that, over the last 12 months, there had been 497 pick-ups and 594 drop-offs at Bedwyn Station (Monday to Saturday). That sort of sounds impressive until you calculate it as less than 3.5 passengers per day (or 2 if one assumes that the 497 pick-ups were also drop-offs). Given five car parking spaces were sacrificed to achieve this, we feel it’s a poor return.
A Message From GWR Regarding Abuse of Newbury Station Staff
We have received the following from GWR.
“Our station manager at Newbury has reported an increase in customer abuse towards colleagues there during times of disruption.
Clearly, we know disruption – including missed connections – is incredibly frustrating, but abusive behaviour, including verbal abuse, cannot be tolerated. Our station colleagues do all they can to pass on information they have to hand, and help customers make the journeys they are planning. However, there can be times during disruption when the situation is developing, and we may not yet have the journey solutions while service recovery is underway.
We’d be very grateful if you could pass a message onto your distribution list – again the vast majority of whom I’m sure would be equally distressed at hearing of station staff being abused – asking them to have patience with our colleagues, even when things are challenging journey-wise.”
Getting around the Evening off-peak
The weekday evening peak, for trains departing Paddington, is from 1600 to 1900. This does not apply between Reading and Bedwyn, nor does it apply on the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Reading. Therefore, if you are returning with an off-peak ticket between 1600 and 1900 there are options, it'll just be a longer journey. Here are some examples:
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Catch the 1548 Swansea GWR train from Paddington, arriving Reading at 1613. You can then catch the 1633 Reading to Newbury, arriving 1654. You can then catch the 1724 for Bedwyn, arriving 1744.
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Catch the 1648 Elizabeth Line train from Paddington, arriving Reading at 1741. You can then catch the 1802 Reading to Newbury, arriving 1816. You can then catch the 1824 for Bedwyn, arriving 1844.
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Catch the 1719 Elizabeth Line train from Paddington, arriving Reading at 1812. You can then catch the 1837 Reading to Bedwyn, arriving 1914.
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Catch the 1750 Elizabeth Line train from Paddington, arriving Reading at 1842. You can then catch the 1901 Reading to Bedwyn, arriving 1930.
Automatically Spotting Potential Missed Connections
In our last newsletter I mentioned software I’ve written to spot missed connections at Newbury before they happen. We have since had a productive meeting with GWR where I was able to demonstrate its capabilities. A follow up meeting is being arranged so I can present it to their technical staff.
Engineering Works
Saturday 25 to Friday 31 July 2026
Nothing affecting our line.
Saturday 1 to Friday 7 August 2026
Monday to Wednesday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
Friday - The 0017 Reading to Newbury will not run and will be replaced by a bus.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 8 to Friday 14 August 2026
Sunday - The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run. The 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will start from Newbury and will run slightly later than usual. A replacement bus will run EARLIER from Reading at 0751 to Newbury. The 0804 (departing 0759) London Paddington to Penzance will be diverted after Reading and will no longer call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0834) London Paddington to Penzance will call additionally at Newbury and Pewsey.
Monday to Thursday - The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading and will be slightly retimed. An alternative rail connection will be available from London Paddington to Reading.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 15 to Friday 21 August 2026
Nothing affecting our line.
Saturday 22 to Friday 28 August 2026
Saturday until approximately 0700 - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn. A few other trains will be subject to minor retimings.
Sunday - The 2323 Newbury to Reading will not run and will be replaced by a bus.
Monday to Thursday - The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading and will be slightly retimed. An alternative rail connection will be available from London Paddington to Reading.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group