Great Western Coffee Shop

Following feedback about severe overcrowding on services last Sunday between Paddington, Reading & Bristol (made much worse than normal due to the engineering work Swindon-Didcot and South Wales services being combined with BTM ones), FGW has applied to NR for an extra path in each direction.

It is intended that there will be a HST 2+7 set running PAD-BTM at approximately 1500 and one running BTM-PAD at approximately 1503.  Both services to operate via Berks & Hants.  Exact timings still being put together, but if approved by NR should be available to book soon.

This application is for the next 4 weeks whilst the Swindon-Didcot possession is in place, though timings may be amended for weeks 3 and 4 due to other timetabling issues.

Further to the above, confirmation has been given that there will be a service from BTM to PAD on the next 2 Sundays at 1500, calling at Bath Spa and Reading, as well as a journey from PAD to BTM departing at 1503 calling at Reading and Bath Spa.
Whilst this wont solve the whole overcrowding issue, it will help the problems which occurred mid-afternoon last week and I am impressed at how quickly there was a reaction to the feedback that was given following last weeks experiences.