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Newsletter 329: 28/10/2026
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Meeting with Danny Kruger MP and Mark Hopwood, MD of GWR
On September 25th, Bill Wells and I met with Danny Kruger, Mark Hopwood and other members of the GWR team.
Mark stated that the aspiration is to reinstate our three IETs, which would provide us with an hourly Paddington service. There has been a significant shift in the position, as reinstatement is now dependent only on the Class 175s entering service, thereby releasing our IETs, and approval being granted by the DfT.
The earliest this could happen is May 2027.
As Danny’s constituency also covers Pewsey, we discussed concerns raised by Pewsey passengers. These included the current two-hourly train service and the lack of a late-evening service back from Paddington.
Regarding the two-hourly service, Mark explained that the aspiration, once the Bedwyn service is reinstated, is to extend it through to Westbury. This would require an additional IET, and potentially a new platform at Westbury, to operate alongside the three trains needed to provide an hourly service between Paddington and Bedwyn. GWR is currently developing a business case for this proposal.
Regarding the lack of late-evening service, the seemingly straightforward solution would be to extend the existing 22:30 service from Paddington, which arrives at Bedwyn at 23:49, through to Westbury. The train operating this service would normally then run empty westwards to the Stoke Gifford depot via Westbury.
However, when Network Rail is carrying out late-evening maintenance work, the train instead has to run empty back eastwards. This means it is not possible to extend the passenger service through to Westbury every evening.
Mark plans to speak with Network Rail to see whether anything can be done to overcome this issue.
We then discussed our report, which sets out a number of interim improvements we are requesting ahead of the reinstatement of our full off-peak service. A copy of the report can be read here: https://tinyurl.com/BTPGInterim
The following is a summary of the discussion and the actions agreed:
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The four 90-minute gaps in the Paddington–Bedwyn service will be resolved with the reinstatement of our IET services.
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As an interim measure, GWR will investigate providing a direct Paddington–Kintbury–Bedwyn service on Saturday evenings.
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GWR will not extend the staffing hours at Newbury.
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GWR will improve the signage directing passengers to the help points at Newbury.
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GWR has already improved access to taxis at Newbury. If you are stranded, please ask station staff for assistance. When the station is unstaffed, use the help point.
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Our request for an additional CIS screen on Platform 1, at the foot of the overbridge, will be considered when the CIS is next replaced.
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GWR will investigate whether the hold time for the 20:49 Newbury–Bedwyn service can be improved.
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GWR will investigate introducing a Saturday and Sunday holding policy.
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GWR will investigate our requests to improve journey planners so that they provide passengers with the best available advice.
Danny Kruger has subsequently posted the following: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1630716391979480
Local Transport Forum for the London Thames Valley & North Downs Region
On October 26th Bill attended this GWR meeting. There will be very few changes in the December 2026 timetable, but likely to be a lot more in May 2027. This could be positive for us.
There are going to be two phases of potential work to introduce some partial electrification, combined with battery/electric operation. The first phase will involve the Thames Valley branches and Reading - Basingstoke. Funding for initial technical design work is now in place.
The second phase includes North Downs, some wiring around Bristol and a stretch from Didcot to around Culham in Oxfordshire. A positive spin on this is the long term plan is for IETs on Paddington - Bedwyn and any extension to Westbury. Funding for the technical work is subject to further DfT approvals.
Once the technical designs are in place a Strategic Outline Business Case will be prepared in late 2027.
The other interesting point was that they are planning to roll out Pay as you go (tap in - tap out with a GWR smartcard) as far west as Bedwyn and Pewsey by next autumn.
Engineering Works
Saturday 31 October to Friday 6 November 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.
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 7 to Friday 13 November 2026
Saturday until approximately 0730 - Some early morning trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn will be replaced by buses which, in some cases, will depart EARLIER than usual. 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.
Saturday 14 to Friday 20 November 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 21 to Friday 27 November 2026
Sunday - The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run. 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 0751) London Paddington to Penzance will be diverted after Reading and will no longer call at Newbury or Pewsey. 0844 (departing 0834) London Paddington to Penzance will call additionally at Newbury and Pewsey.
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 28 November to Friday 4 December 2026
Saturday and Sunday - All weekend, all High Speed services from / to London Paddington will be subject to alteration. Most services from London Paddington to the West of England will start from Reading and most services from the West of England to London Paddington will finish their journeys at Reading. A few services will not run at all, with other services making additional stops as a result. On Saturday, services between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury and will be retimed. On Sunday, the 2350 London Paddington to Penzance will be diverted to start from London Euston EARLIER at 2315 (normal timings from Reading onwards) (The 2115 Penzance to London Paddington will run normally into London Paddington). Passengers are strongly advised to check their journey before travelling, especially when travelling later in the day, to ensure that their whole journey is still possible.
Saturday 5 to Friday 11 December 2026
Saturday and Sunday - All weekend, High Speed services to and from London Paddington will be revised. Most services FROM London Paddington will depart slightly EARLIER than usual, and many will then be subject to later retimings from Reading onwards. Most services TO London Paddington will arrive a few minutes later at London Paddington. Some services will either not run at all, or will only run for part of their journey. Most services between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa will only run between Swindon and Cheltenham Spa. On Saturday, some services between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury, and most local stopping services between London Paddington, Reading and Didcot Parkway will only run between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Passengers should use Elizabeth line services, which will also be reduced in frequency. On Sunday, most services between London Paddington and Oxford will not call at Slough. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journey before travelling.
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace train services 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 12 to Friday 18 December 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 19 to Friday 25 December 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 0751) 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.
Saturday and Sunday - All weekend, High Speed services to and from London Paddington will be revised. Most services FROM London Paddington will depart slightly EARLIER than usual, and many will then be subject to later retimings from Reading onwards. Most services TO London Paddington will arrive a few minutes later at London Paddington. Some services will either not run at all, or will only run for part of their journey. Most services between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa will only run between Swindon and Cheltenham Spa. On Saturday, some services between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury. Some local stopping services between London Paddington, Reading and Didcot Parkway will only run between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Passengers should use Elizabeth line services, which will also be reduced in frequency. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journey before travelling.
Christmas Day – no service.
Saturday 26 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027
Boxing Day – no service. Check journey planners on other days.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group