Paddington is to close over Christmas, with trains to Wales and the West Country terminating at Reading until January 4

Network Rail will shut Paddington station from Christmas Day to New Year's Eve as part of £152 million of upgrade works, forcing Great Western Railway services to Wales and the West Country to start and finish at Reading instead. Birmingham New Street, the UK's busiest station outside London, will also be closed for a five-day stretch over the holiday period.

West of Paddington, the Elizabeth line will be out of service until January 4, and Heathrow Express trains will also be suspended until December 31.

On Christmas Eve, the east coast mainline will be partially closed, disrupting travel between London and north-east England and Scotland.

Liverpool Street to Forest Gate will be shut for 10 days from Christmas Day, meaning no trains between Stratford and Romford, with replacement buses to run.