RAIL passengers are being urged to avoid taking the train from Reading this weekend due to emergency engineering works.

Network Rail will undertake vital electrification work between Maidenhead and Didcot Parkway, to accommodate the rollout of new GWR Class 387 electric commuter trains across the Thames Valley from January 2018.

This means GWR will be unable to run High Speed Intercity or local trains between Didcot, Newbury, Reading and London; interchange stations are likely to be very busy.

From 2am on Saturday to start of service on Monday GWR long distance services will be unable to run through Reading.

Bus replacement services will operate between Slough, Reading and Theale and between Slough, Reading, and Didcot Parkway.