Yesterday morning’s disruption demonstrated yet again the problems caused by the single line section at the Oxford end of the line.

The 0514 WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) hit a deer somewhere near Charlbury, and proceeded at slow speed to Oxford, where it arrived 50 late and was cancelled.

It in turn delayed the 0550 PAD to GMV^▸ (Great Malvern station), which was 13 late at Charlbury.

The 0448 HFD^» (Hereford - next trains) to PAD was delayed by both – first following the 0514, then waiting for the 0550 to clear the single line. It arrived at Oxford 51 late and at Paddington 46 late.