THERE will be no trains between London Paddington and Reading until at least midday today.

The disruption is due to overhead wire damage caused by a test train being operated by Hitachi in the Ealing area last night. The train was not in passenger service.

There will be no London commuter services and a reduced long-distance service timetable with trains starting from and terminating in Reading.

A Great Western Railway spokesman said: “We strongly advise customers to only travel if necessary in the Thames Valley area and to check carefully before traveling elsewhere as long-distance journeys are likely to be affected.

“Tickets for GWR services today will also be valid for tomorrow, should customers choose to postpone their journey.”

Customers should travel from London Waterloo or London Marylebone instead, with tickets being accepted on South Western Railway, Chiltern Railways, Virgin Trains, West Midlands Railway and Transport for Wales.