Christmas rail chaos: Paddington and Birmingham New Street closures among 10 days of disruption

Rail passengers across Great Britain face significant disruption this Christmas as engineering works close key stations and routes for up to 10 days. London Paddington, a major hub for intercity services to the west of England and Wales, will shut for five days, with disruption expected to last until January. Birmingham New Street, the busiest station outside London, will also close for five days over the holiday period. Network Rail is carrying out the works during the quieter festive period, but the closures will impact travel for thousands of passengers. Most routes will remain open, but journeys may be longer or require rail replacement buses. Travellers are advised to plan ahead and check schedules before setting out. With major stations shut and services altered, this year's Christmas getaway could be one of the most challenging in recent years.