On 7 August 2026, a train collided with a fallen tree near Kingham on the railway line between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill. The incident blocked the tracks and led to a temporary closure of the railway.
Rail Closure and Emergency Response
The line between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill was closed while Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail assessed and cleared the obstruction. Rail services experienced delays of up to 30 minutes, and some routes were altered. Disruption lasted until around 8am when normal service resumed. GWR confirmed no injuries occurred during the incident.
Passenger Impact and Travel Advice
Passengers faced delays and cancellations on services through Kingham
in the Cotswolds. Those with cancelled trains were allowed to use either of the two services before or after their scheduled train at no additional cost. GWR advised customers to consult live departure boards, the National Rail Enquiries journey planner, or station staff for real-time updates. The operator also assured passengers they would not be stranded if delays caused them to miss the last train of the day.
Official Statements and Compensation
A GWR spokesperson apologized for the disruption, stating, “We are sorry to customers whose journeys were disrupted this morning after a train struck a fallen tree near Kingham, resulting in the temporary
closure of the railway while the situation was assessed and made safe.” They added, “We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our customers while our teams responded to the incident.” Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more were reminded they could apply for Delay Repay compensation, and the company urged affected customers to contact them directly regarding compensation claims.
