Fourth broken track causes Paddington-Reading train delays

The latest issue means trains between London Paddington and Reading may be cancelled, delayed or revised

A broken track is causing delays to services as trains are reduced to 20mph.

The cracked track in the Hayes and Harlington area of west London is the fourth in the past eight days on the Great Western line.

A rail worker told the BBC earlier this week the problems posed a "danger to life".

The latest issue means trains between London Paddington and Reading may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

It is unclear is the issue is being caused by poor weather or general wear and tear.

'Shouldn't happen'

Network Rail said a standard inspection had revealed the defect at a set of points used to transfer trains from one track to another.

Dan Pane, from Great Western Railway (GWR), was unable to give a timeframe on when it will be repaired.

"Network Rail have got those parts and are looking at how best they can change those bits of rail at that crossing as soon as possible," he said.

"There is some speculation, we've had a consultation and we have had a few of these issues in the last couple of days and of course when things get colder particularly steel it contracts and it's a little bit more susceptible to this sort of thing, but it shouldn't happen.

"What we try to do is get as far through the day as we can, we have got lines open and we can move trains safely, and then we got to have a clear period, maybe overnight but I'm not sure how long that will take to actually fix the problem but I expect some level of delays throughout the day."