RAIL commuters are being warned to expect further delays because of flooding and repairs.

Trains from Westbury to London will travel via Swindon, adding at least half an hour onto the journey.

The delays are due to repairs to the line between Westbury and Pewsey.

Delays are also being experienced around Westbury, Dilton Marsh and Frome where repairs are due to be carried out to a five- mile stretch of track at Heywood junction, Standerwick, Blatch-bridge and Clink Road.

These repairs were scheduled 12 months ago.

Railtrack spokesman Errol Jones said: "The line will be closed for engineering works and track renewal. This work was planned 12 months ago and has no connection to the recent problems."

Other delays for west Wiltshire commuters have been caused by severe flooding of railway lines and 20mph speed restrictions imposed after the Hatfield rail crash.

The line between Westbury and Frome was one of 81 potentially lethal stretches of track. It has been in need of repair for 12 months.

Railtrack's Jane Terry said repairs were being carried out as quickly as possible.

"One problem we are experiencing is getting the rail from the supplier. Our people are working 24 hours to get the job done," she said.

First Great Western and Wales and West Trains are producing emergency, weekly timetables until further notice.

Commuters unsure of train services should contact the national rail inquiry line on 0845 7484950.

Roger Newman, a member of the West Wiltshire Rail Users Group said: "A lot of commuters were affected last week but things appear to be much better now.

"The floods have been the biggest problem causing delays throughout the county. The situation is changing hourly and commuters should check before they travel."

Travellers faced misery because lines were blocked by flooding, landslides and track bed collapses.