Flooding: 6am travel update

6:00am Saturday 19th January 2008

Rail operator First Great Western said last night that the threat of flooding at Kennington closing the Oxford-Didcot railway line had receded for the time being.

However, the firm warned that with more rain forecast across its operating area overnight and today, services could be subject to alteration at short notice.

Network Rail engineers have been monitoring the level of the River Thames at Kennington around the clock, because water on the tracks there closed the line for a week last July and for several days in 2003.

Following the cancellation of planned engineering work between Didcot and Swindon, FGW will run trains to a special timetable on its routes to Bristol and South Wales today and tomorrow.

Rail passengers are advised to check FGW's website, or call 08457 484950 for the latest information on services over the weekend.

Close to the Oxford-Didcot railway line, Kennington Road is one of a number of routes in the county closed by flooding. It is not expected to reopen until Monday at the earliest.

Bus passengers who use Oxford Bus Company's route 35 through Kennington should call 01865 785400 for details of diversions during the closure.

Other road closures include:

• Oxford: Godstow Road, between Wolvercote and Wytham
• Oxford: North Hinksey Lane (service road section)
• Clifton Hampden: High Street, near the A415 junction
• Clifton Hampden: the road to Long Wittenham
• Drayton St Leonard: Hayward Bridge, in Water Lane
• Islip: Lower Street
• Chimney, near Bampton: Great Brook Road
• A417: Between West Challow (Mellors of Challow garage) and Stanford in the Vale:
• A417: At Buscot Wick
• West Hanney: Denchworth Road.

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