RAIL passengers are facing delays during rush hour after a fire has spread to a signal cables between Cheney Manor and Stratton.

Fire crews were called to the small blaze at 2.47pm after it spread from a small patch of grass to the side of the line and damaged signal cables, resulting in delays.

Replacement bus services have been organised from Swindon and other key places along the line, but a spokesman for First Great Western admitted delays could possibly go one beyond rush hour this evening.

He said: “The problem with issues like this is that it may seem like a localised issue but it can quickly ramp up. Our crews can end up in the wrong place and this issue is likely to run into and past the rush hour tonight.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “It was an external fire that came on to the railway between Cheney Manor and B&Q, near the locomotive yard junction.

“The problem for the railway is that there has been damage to the signalling cabling and there will be extensive delays.

"Obviously we can only apologise but when we are without signalling we are very restricted in what we can move.”

Keep checking the First Great Western and Network Rail websites for updates on services.