RAIL passengers yesterday faced major delays on services between Oxford and London Paddington because of a signalling problem.

Damage to signal equipment during overnight works between Slough and West Drayton caused trains into London Paddington to be cancelled and severely delayed throughout the day.

Further disruption was caused by a fallen tree on the track between Moreton-in-Marsh and Charlbury, causing 45-minute delays.

First Great Western said it expected normal service to resume in time for peak evening services, but announced shortly before 4pm that disruption would continue until further notice.

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A company statement shortly before the evening peak services said: “Engineers have been working all morning to rectify the fault, but have so far been unsuccessful. At present, we are only able to run four trains per hour in each direction between Reading and Paddington.

“Many services will be cancelled and there will be delays of up to 60 minutes affecting those trains which can run. We strongly advise customers to avoid travelling where possible. Disruption is expected to last until further notice.”

Simon Walker, 48, from Radley left his house at 7am and was still at Oxford station at 10.30am.

The regular commuter who works for British Medical Journal said: “It’ll be 1-2pm until I get into London so I’ve turned around, I’ll work from home, I’ve given up, the service is appalling.”

Bill Park, 62, from Summertown said: “I hardly ever take the train but, when I do, it’s invariably delayed, cancelled, or I’m standing up the whole journey.”

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