A cyclist well wrapped up against the biting cold passes frosty narrowboats on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Bath.

COMMUTERS endured a cold wait on the platform yesterday morning as over-running engineering work caused the cancellation of services.

The work to upgrade track and signalling at Westbury in Wiltshire was not finished on time and sparked chaos as far afield as Bristol.

Great Western Railway said the delays were caused due to Network Rail engineering work not being finished on schedule.

Morning rush hour services between south west Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol were hit.

A number of services were cancelled and others suffered lengthy delays and overcrowding.

The problems persisted through the day, with replacement bus services being provided to frustrated commuters.

Network Rail director of asset management and safety, Mike Gallup, said: “We sincerely apologise for the disruption passengers will experience today travelling to or from Westbury, Wiltshire. The 12-day major programme of work to upgrade track and signalling has not finished on time this morning owing to issues identified during the final stages of testing.

“We are doing all we can to reopen the railway and get people moving as soon as possible.”

Picture: Ben Birchall/PA

Ben Birchall/PA A train travels through the countryside near Bathyesterday, after temperatures across the region dropped belowfreezing overnight