A lightning strike has caused major disruption on a South London railway line, affecting services between Herne Hill and Denmark Hill until 6:30pm. The lightning bolt damaged signalling equipment at Herne Hill station, leading to cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes.
Impact on Services
Passengers are advised to expect significant delays while the service recovers. The railway line was initially blocked between Herne Hill and Denmark Hill as engineers were called to fix the issue. The line has since reopened but with ongoing delays. The same thunderstorm caused similar problems at Heathrow Airport, where passengers face delays when landing until 8pm on Wednesday, May 13.
Alternative Travel Options
Southeastern passengers can use their tickets at no extra charge on the Elizabeth line between Abbey Wood and Central London, on high-speed services between St Pancras International and Medway Towns, and on buses, Tube, and other national rail services.
Weather Outlook
Unsettled weather is expected in London throughout the remainder of the week, with a mix of sun, cloud, and rain, according to the Met Office. Temperatures will drop to 13°C on Thursday, May 4, before climbing steadily towards the weekend. BBC Weather predicts that next Thursday, May 21, will mark the return of sunny weather with highs of 24°C.
