A major rail update has been issued for anyone planning travel to Moreton-in-Marsh, a key rail gateway to the Cotswolds.
After being among the most disrupted routes last year, the line is now set for a repeat of severe disruption from February through late March 2026, as emergency engineering works commence and operators prepare extensive amendments to services.
Passengers travelling from London Paddington are being warned to expect cancellations, altered timetables and rail replacement buses, with disruption expected to affect onward travel into the Cotswolds throughout the period.
The disruption reality: a quick trip becomes a 3+ hour-plus ordeal
Under normal conditions, travellers expect a straightforward run from Paddington to the Cotswolds in roughly 90 minutes.
During the disruption window, that journey is increasingly being described as a three-hour-plus process, driven by enforced connections and replacement transport.
Passengers will be required to leave the train and continue by rail replacement bus, before rejoining the rail network later — a sequence that introduces delays, crowding and limited certainty around arrival times.
The cost of failure: stranded passengers face eye-watering bills
For travellers with pre-booked accommodation, timed tours, or non-refundable activities, disruption on the day can quickly turn into a financial problem.
Reports from disrupted travel periods show the cost of last-minute alternatives rising sharply:
- Black cabs: £500+
- Ubers: £300–£400
- Rail replacement: 3+ hours of stop-start travel and logistical uncertainty
The practical impact is clear: passengers who cannot wait may be forced into expensive road options, while those who stay with rail can lose significant portions of the day to delays and missed connections.
Tours picking up at Moreton-in-Marsh station are now a high-stakes gamble
Travellers who have booked Cotswolds tours departing directly from Moreton-in-Marsh station are being urged to reconsider.
These tours are popular because the rail link is normally sold as a quick, simple run. During this disruption period — described by industry sources as a systemic failure of the line — reaching that starting point becomes a high-stakes gamble and is set to be a repeat of 2025
If you miss the narrow arrival window (typically built around that advertised 90-minute journey), you are not “a bit late”. You miss the tour entirely. There is no practical way to catch up once a vehicle has left the station forecourt and is already moving.
By contrast, a direct departure from London removes the connection risk and keeps responsibility for the journey in one place, from start time to arrival.
“This line is antique and requires emergency safety works”
David Foster, a rail engineer, said the condition of the infrastructure has left little tolerance for risk.
“The authorities are aware this line is antiquated and requires major safety works. It is simply not fit for purpose right now.”
Shakespeare Coaches advises travellers to avoid rail entirely
Paul Manku, owner of Shakespeare Coaches, said travellers heading to the Cotswolds should not build plans around rail connections during 2026.
“Our advice is simple: if you have a tour or a stay planned, do not rely on the train. Book a direct Cotswolds tour from London or a transfer that bypasses the rail network completely. It’s the only way to guarantee you’ll actually arrive.”
Shakespeare Coaches operates a direct, road-based option from London Paddington, positioning itself as an alternative for travellers who need certainty in February and March.
More information: https://shakespeare-coaches.com