RAIL lines between Swindon and Didcot Parkway have finally re-opened after a signalling fault caused major disruption today.

At 8.30pm Network Rail tweeted: "Lines are open and engineers will remain on site. Residual delays will occur as services recover.

Great Western Railway had warned passengers the disruption would last until the end of the day and at 6pm it was still advising customers it did not know when services would resume.

But shortly after 8pm it was able to report: "Signal Fault between Swindon and Didcot now fixed, services will be moving shortly."

Passengers have been told South West trains will accept tickets from passengers affected by the problem.

Arriva and CrossCountry, First Buses and Stagecoach are also accepting tickets.

One frustrated traveller tweeted at 5.19pm: “Why did I decide to take train to Bristol instead of driving? Still on 13.30 from Paddington outside Swindon.”

Another wrote: “Been on the train since 2:30 only for trains to terminate at Swindon and go back to Bristol.”

Steve Cresswell blasted GWR, saying he had been put on a train back to Bristol and then, having been told by staff at Temple Meads that trains were running again, returned to Swindon only to find they were not.

There were also chaotic scenes at Swindon station as stranded passengers attempted to find alternative services.

However for those able to put off their journeys, the rail firms have said tickets for today will be accepted for travel tomorrow.