London trains from Wales and South West to use Euston not Paddington for 'festive blockades' owing to HS2 work
Inter-city trains between London, the South-West and Wales are expected to be diverted from Paddington to Euston due to track closures for HS2 works.
Great Western Railway is seeking permission to use Euston as its main London terminal for several days before and after Christmas — and potentially on multiple occasions until 2030.
Network Rail is understood to be planning 70 days of festive blockades over the next decade on the route in and out of Paddington — with weekend and late-night closures also expected throughout the year.
The diversions are necessary because work to complete Old Oak Common station in north-west London will require the closure of the main line to Paddington.
When complete in about 2030, Old Oak Common will be the southern terminus of the HS2 high-speed trains — until the link to Euston is done up to a decade later — and will be where passengers can interchange with GWR and Elizabeth line trains.
GWR believes Euston offers a better alternative than Waterloo for its inter-city services — including the Night Riviera sleeper train — when Paddington is closed as it will add about 15 minutes onto journey times rather than about 45 minutes.
Access to Euston is also likely to be easier than to Waterloo, which is the London terminus of South Western Railway, especially over Christmas when there are fewer freight trains in the vicinity.
About half of GWR’s trains — probably those serving Cornwall — will start or terminate at Reading. Two trains an hour in each direction from Bristol and Wales are expected to use Euston.
GWR says the HS2 works will affect some Paddington trains “over the next few years”. It has also warned of a reduced service between Paddington and Ealing Broadway.
In a message to passengers, GWR said: “In 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 there will be further construction work, including periods where trains will not be able to run into London Paddington.”
There will also be periods when only two of the four tracks into Paddington can be used. Trains are expected to be diverted through Old Oak Common from 2026, but speed restrictions will be required, lengthening journey times.
GWR has been sending test trains into Euston since March to check the feasibility of using the station.
The full impact on the Christmas period is expected to be published in September, prior to tickets going on sale.
GWR has already announced there will be no trains in or out of Paddington on November 17 and between December 27-29.
Luke Pollard, who is seeking re-election as Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, last month warned of a “decade of disruption” for GWR passenger due to the construction of Old Oak Common station.
According to the House of Commons library, construction of Old Oak Common station “ will involve a number of partial and complete closures of the Great Western Main Line east of Ealing Broadway until 2030”.
A full timetable of all closures is yet to be published. The Department for Transport is working with Network Rail, HS2, Transport for London and GWR to minimise disruption to passengers.
