Trains between Reading and London Paddington resume

Passengers at Paddington complained about confusion over alternative travel arrangements

Disrupted train services between Reading and London Paddington have resumed.

All services along the route were suspended throughout Thursday morning after an electrical fault caused engineering work to overrun, First Great Western (FGW) said.

Two out of four lines reopened earlier but disruption was expected to continue until Friday afternoon.

Pre-booked tickets will be accepted on FGW services until the end of the week.

Network Rail closed the line after an electrical fault between Hayes and West Drayton was discovered on Boxing Day during engineering works.

'Confusion'

Services on the Heathrow Connect and Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport were also cancelled but resumed earlier.

The delays also affected passengers from Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire as they headed to Reading.

Passengers had to wait in the rain for replacement bus services outside London Paddington station

Dan Panes from FGW said: "We have managed to get trains moving again as soon as Network Rail opened up the line again.

"Services will be busy, but the road replacement buses will continue to run as well in the short term.

"We have lifted all ticket restrictions until the end of the week meaning customers can get on any train even if they have pre-booked in advance."

Passengers at Paddington told BBC News of their frustration.

One man said there was confusion between FGW and station managers about alternative travel arrangements.

Others said the number of replacement buses was insufficient.

BBC Radio Berkshire's Gavin Fischer at Reading station said services seemed to be preparing to return to normal after earlier disruption.

Network Rail has apologised for the disruption.