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Newsletter 328: 28/08/2026
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Recent Missed Connections at Newbury
Following a spate of missed connections and delays, we are meeting with Danny Kruger MP on September 25th. His office plan to invite a GWR representative to the meeting. At the meeting we will also discuss our report requesting interim improvements to partially alleviate the problems caused by the shuttle between Newbury and Bedwyn. You can read the report at https://tinyurl.com/BTPGInterim
The GWR WhatsApp team, who you can send a message asking for a connecting service to be held, have recently been responding that it is no longer GWR policy to hold trains during peak periods. We have gone back to GWR on this point and they have reiterated that Newbury is an exception and trains can be held there. In turn, they have advised their WhatsApp team of the policy. So, if you are on a delayed train, and need a train held at Newbury, do still make the request through WhatsApp on 07890 608043. If they respond saying holds can not be made, then reply “GWR senior management have agreed that Newbury is an exception”.
Engineering Works
Saturday 29 August to Friday 4 September 2026
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn. The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading, will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Newbury. 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 5 to Friday 11 September 2026
Saturday, most trains between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury.
Saturday 12 to Friday 18 September 2026
Saturday, most trains between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury.
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
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 19 to Friday 25 September 2026
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 26 September to Friday 2 October 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 until approximately 1730 - Trains between London Paddington / Reading and the West of England will be revised, and will be diverted to run between Reading and Taunton via Bristol Temple Meads, or between Reading and Westbury via Swindon. A few trains will not run at all, and other trains will have different stopping patterns from normal. Local trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn will be replaced by buses between Reading and Newbury. Pewsey will be served by replacement buses to and from Swindon connecting with diverted services calling there.
Saturday 3 to Friday 9 October 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 0753) 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, then will run slightly later from Westbury to Plymouth.
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 10 to Friday 16 October 2026
Saturday to Friday - All week, trains between London Paddington / Reading and the West of England will be reduced in frequency and will be diverted to run, either between Reading and Taunton via Bristol Temple Meads (in some cases, calling there additionally) or between Reading and Westbury via Swindon, some calling additionally at Castle Cary. Some trains will not run or will only run for part of their journey. Passengers travelling to / from Newbury and Hungerford should use alternative rail services, some of which will be retimed, between Reading and Newbury / Bedwyn and travel via Reading for connections with diverted West of England services. Pewsey will only be served by replacement buses to / from Swindon, connecting with diverted trains calling additionally at Swindon.
Monday to Friday, a few additional trains will run at peak times between Bedwyn / Newbury and Reading / London Paddington in place of diverted High Speed services. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journey before travelling, especially when travelling later in the evening, to ensure that their whole journey is still possible.
Monday to Wednesday from approximately 2145 until end of service - In addition to the work taking place affecting High Speed services on this route, buses will also replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn.
Saturday 17 to Friday 23 October 2026
Nothing affecting our line.
Saturday 24 to Friday 30 October 2026
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
Monday 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