Cows on railway lines caused train delays from Swindon

UPDATE: Tracks cleared after cows blocked railways lines between Swindon and Didcot Parkway

Short notice alterations and cancellations frustrated passengers as GWR staff worked to clear the herd of cattle from blocking the tracks.

A passenger reported that the train she travelled on hit one of the animals.

Our train hit some of them 😢 and we’re waiting for the next train at Didcot because our train is damaged...

Shoutout to the lovely GWR member of staff who has just gone and got a coffee and a nice biscuit for our driver... poor guy what a horrible thing to go through.

— Seren Irvine (@SerenIrvine) July 16, 2019

A GWR spokesman said: "We can confirm that the 6.20am Western to London Paddington struck cows on the line. Some services have been reduced and others have been diverted around the area.

"A road replacement transport service is in place at Swindon and Didcot. Local bus ticket acceptance has been agreed."

Another passenger told a reporter at Swindon station: "I would say there are more than 100 people packed into the waiting area and platform. Some had been at the station for more than an hour and a half.

"While everyone was in good humour, it was obvious that people were keen to get on with their journeys.

"I have to be in Bristol by 10am and was relieved to see the first train pull into the station shortly after 9am."