Lightning strike causes disruption on rail line

A picture shows a Great Western Railway train pulling in to Bristol Temple Meads.
Disruption is expected until 09:00 [GWR]

A lightning strike has caused disruption on a major railway line.

National Rail said a storm on Thursday morning had damaged electricity supply between Westbury in Wiltshire, and Castle Cary in Somerset.

The line has now reopened, but National Rail warned trains may still be cancelled, delayed or diverted until 09:00 BST.

A number of different Great Western Railway routes have been affected.

These include routes between Bristol Temple Meads and Weymouth, Cardiff Central/London Paddington and Frome, and also between London Paddington and Frome.

South Western Railway services between Salisbury and Yeovil Pen Mill have also been affected.

The lightning strike comes as the Met Office placed a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the west of England, starting at 20:00 BST on Wednesday and ending at 08:00 BST on Thursday.

The Met Office said heavy rain would also lead to travel disruption and some flooding.

Related internet links

More on this story

Advertisement