NETWORK Rail managers have admitted their electrification scheme for the railways in the Thames Valley could fall behind schedule.

As part of the scheme for the old Great Western route, overhead wires are being fitted between Reading and Oxford so that modern Japanese-built trains, capable of carrying more passengers, can run on the line.

The new trains are being shipped from Japan, with the first due to arrive in weeks.

Network Rail said it was still aiming for electrification to be ready by late next year but it added the programme could be “subject to change”.

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Spokeswoman Victoria Bradley said yesterday: “This work is a major investment in improving the railway in the region and will see better, faster, more reliable journeys in the future benefitting millions of rail users.

“While work is progressing well and we’re aiming for an end of 2016 target for the Thames Valley, the programme is subject to change and alteration as the scope and needs of the overall project also change.”

Earlier this month, Oxfordshire County Council council leader Ian Hudspeth and South Oxfordshire District Council leader John Cotton visited Japan with council leaders from other parts of the country to see the Hitachi-manufactured electro-diesel trains. Mr Hudspeth was unavailable for comment but Council spokesman Paul Smith said the trip was “not at the taxpayers’ expense”.

First Great Western spokesman James Davis said: “While we would expect minor changes to timescales at this stage in such a big project, we are not aware of any problems that will affect implementation dates.”