Gas Leak Get Fixed, Rail Passengers Finally Get Their Track Back

Rail services between Didcot Parkway and Reading have resumed after an emergency gas leak forced the railway line to close and disrupted journeys across parts of Berkshire and Wiltshire. An exclusion zone was put in place on Wednesday after a gas leak was reported in the Ladygrove area of Didcot. Engineers from gas distribution company SGN were brought in to repair the damaged network, while rail passengers were advised to avoid travelling between Reading and Swindon. The railway line has now reopened after SGN confirmed that repairs had successfully stopped the gas escape and the exclusion zone affecting the railway could be lifted. Network Rail said most services were expected to return to normal on Thursday, although passengers could still face short-notice changes as Great Western Railway (GWR) works to restore the full time table. Passengers have been advised to check their journey before travelling, with operators warning that disruption could continue while services return to normal. Tickets for affected journey that were not used on Wednesday can be used on Thursday or refunded. Marcus Jones, route director for Network Rail Great Western route, said the incident had caused frustration for passengers and thanked travellers for their patience while safety measures were in place. He also thanked SGN and train operators for working together during the response. SGN said the gas leak had occurred after a third party damaged the gas network. A spokes person for the company said repairs had been completed, allowing the exclusion zone to be removed and the railway line to reopen.