Commuters from Swindon faced delays and train cancellations today (Wednesday) as they made their way into London on the Paddington line.

The delays, which have hit some parts of the country severely, are a result of speed restrictions imposed for the next three days as rail companies check their lines.

First Great Western introduced the emergency measures, along with train companies around the country, to cut the speed of trains while railway lines are being checked.

It has imposed a speed limit on parts of the main Swindon to London line at Didcot and also at Thatcham, near Reading.

This morning's 6.56am train from Swindon to London was nine minutes late leaving Didcot and the 7.10am service was six minutes late as it arrived at Swindon.

The measures have been implemented following the crash at Hatfield last week, when four people died. Railtrack imposed speed limits after it was revealed the accident was caused by a broken rail.

FGW managing director, Mike Carroll, said: "This has impacted on our services and customers will have experienced delays, but we hope they will bear with us. Safety is our top priority."

Affected services are on the rail route from London to the West, while services from Bristol to South Wales remain unaffected.

FGW says it expects the longest delays to amount to no more than 20 minutes, with the journey time from Swindon to Paddington rising by 15 minutes.

FGW is assuring customers services will be returning to normal as soon as possible. Of the 14 sections of track originally affected, restrictions have been lifted on three. Other sections are expected to be back inservice after the weekend.