As Per Bristol Live
A fire next to the railway track at Severn Tunnel Junction is causing Bristol train disruption. Passengers have been advised of potential cancellations or delays for the rest of the day (Wednesday, April 22).
The fire has affected services between Newport South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads, as well as services between Newport South Wales and Swindon via Bristol Parkway.
Bristol Parkway will not be served. All stations between Newport South Wales and Filton Abbey Wood will also not be served, according to GWR.
It first noted disruption just after 3.30pm this afternoon and the lines were closed "for some hours", according to GWR's incident log. Although they have since reopened, the fire damaged signalling cables.
GWR has told passengers: "We are starting to run trains again but there will be cancellations, alterations and delays until the end of the day due to trains, drivers and guards being in the wrong locations across England and Wales due to the disruptions."
For Parkway passengers, mutual ticket acceptance is in place with Cross Country and Transport for Wales. Tickets can be provided at no extra cost on these services between Cardiff/Newport and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa.
Replacement transport has been requested but GWR says its supplier "is struggling to resource them". Customers whose trains have been cancelled can travel on either of the two services before their original train, or either of the two services after.
GWR has asked passengers to "consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal", if possible. Tickets dated for today will be valid for travel tomorrow (Thursday, April 23).