Westbury works, easements and split ticket question

[HerodesAtticus]

Travelling tomorrow back from Maiden Newton to Oxford, on the return half of split tickets bought a while back without thinking about the Westbury works throwing a spanner into the works - currently struggling to work out if any of the easements to go via Reading apply to me, or if I will have to face the dreaded rail replacement bus - Maiden Newton to Chippenham (off peak return, valid via any permitted route) and Chippenham to Oxford (super off peak return, not valid via Reading)

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[redreni]

Travelling tomorrow back from Maiden Newton to Oxford, on the return half of split tickets bought a while back without thinking about the Westbury works throwing a spanner into the works - currently struggling to work out if any of the easements to go via Reading apply to me, or if I will have to face the dreaded rail replacement bus - Maiden Newton to Chippenham (off peak return, valid via any permitted route) and Chippenham to Oxford (super off peak return, not valid via Reading)

Any help greatly appreciated!

FastJP offers this:

Oxford to Maiden Newton via Didcot Parkway and Swindon

You didn't say what time so I guessed midday. FastJP found no other journey opportunities via the obvious route per the routing restriction on your ticket. I assume the "not via Reading" aspect of the routing restriction would remain in place if there are still journey possibilities (however infrequent) via Didcot Parkway, unless GWR has specifically said otherwise.

Between Oxford and Chippenham, Trainline is still offering the cheaper "not via Reading" ticket only in connection with itineraries changing at Didcot Parkway and is offering more expensive "not via London" tickets if changing at Reading. Forum's site is playing up for me at present. But it looks to me like there's no relevant easement in place as far as journey planners are concerned.

You could always ask your friendly GWR guard if they mind if you go via Reading. They might not care, or they might want to charge you a one-way change-of-route excess.

 

[Haywain]

FastJP offers this:

Oxford to Maiden Newton via Didcot Parkway and Swindon

The OP is travelling in the opposite direction.

You could always ask your friendly GWR guard if they mind if you go via Reading.

That would require travelling through or via Frome which could involve a significant delay.

 

[30907]

The OP is travelling in the opposite direction.

That would require travelling through or via Frome which could involve a significant delay.

Weymouth trains go that way anyway, and the Londons are calling there vice Westbury
However, there are only a couple of tolerable connections

 

[Haywain]

However, there are only a couple of tolerable connections

Yes, I don't see there being any time saving over using the RRB.

 

[Snow1964]

There are some easements which apply to services with GWR and SWR (although using XC appears to have different rules)

During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January 2025.
Customers travelling with tickets priced on routes
(00618) VIA SALISBURY,
(00627) SALISBURY/YEOVIL,
(00836) VIA WESTBURY and
(00837) WESTBURY AND SALISBURY
may travel via Reading and Basingstoke.

This was sent to me, so don't have link to quote from, so I suspect you are ok (hope someone can confirm)

 

[Haywain]

There are some easements which apply to services with GWR and SWR (although using XC appears to have different rules)

During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January 2025.
Customers travelling with tickets priced on routes
(00618) VIA SALISBURY,
(00627) SALISBURY/YEOVIL,
(00836) VIA WESTBURY and
(00837) WESTBURY AND SALISBURY
may travel via Reading and Basingstoke.

This was sent to me, so don't have link to quote from, so I suspect you are ok (hope someone can confirm)

The OP's Chippenham to Maiden Newton ticket will be routed 'Any Permitted', so this is unlikely to be helpful.

 

[Timetraveller]

There is one direct service each way early morning 0704 to bath and late afternoon return 1735 from swindon. Its a bus from frome to chippenham or frome to trowbridge or there is bus ticket acceptance on the x34 from Frome to Chippenham