Cows on the line of the GWR Western service to London Paddington this morning.

Rail travel descended into chaos this morning as a herd of cows blocked a Great Western Railway train, and with one animal being hit.
 
Severe delays and cancellations plagued the Great Western Railway service between the West country and London as the herd wandered onto the line.
 
Passengers travelling on the 06:20 to London Paddington had to disembark at an earlier station as one train was damaged when it struck a cow.
 
The cows were eventually cleared from the track around 11:00 this morning but severe delays continue to affect transport in the area.
 
Posting on Twitter at around 09:00 Great Western Railway's help team confirmed the cause of the problem.
 
They wrote, "All lines between Swindon and Didcot Parkway are currently blocked because of animals on the railway line. Updates to follow.
 
One passenger, Seren Irvine, replied with news that one train had hit a cow.
 
She wrote, "Our train hit some of them and we're waiting for the next train at Didcot because our train is damaged. Shout out to the lovely GWR member of staff who has just gone and got a coffee and a nice biscuit for our driver. Poor guy what a horrible thing to go through."
 
Another passenger said, "I would say there are more than 100 people packed into the waiting area and platform. Some had been at the station for more than an hour and a half. While everyone was in good humour, it was obvious that people were keen to get on with their journeys. I have to be in Bristol by 10:00 and was relieved to see the first train pull into the station shortly after 09:00."
 
Delays of over 20 minutes were reported heading into Bristol, and train passengers were encouraged to find alternative forms of transportation.
 
A GWR spokesman said, "We can confirm that the 06:20 to London Paddington struck cows on the line. Some services have been reduced and others have been diverted around the area. A road replacement transport service is in place at Swindon and Didcot. Local bus ticket acceptance has been agreed."
 
Neil Shaw.