Commuters in south west London are facing severe travel chaos this evening due to a major emergency services incident that has forced the closure of rail lines between London Waterloo and Barnes. The disruption, which is expected to last until 10pm on Thursday, February 12, 2026, has led to widespread cancellations, delays of up to two hours, and significant alterations to train routes.
Impact on Rail Services
The incident, the nature of which remains undisclosed, has prompted emergency services to close lines to ensure safe operations. This has resulted in major delays reported not only between Waterloo and Barnes but also affecting Wimbledon and Clapham Junction. Services are heavily impacted, with trains being rerouted and key stations experiencing closures.
Service Diversions and Closures
Several train services have been diverted to manage the disruption. Shepperton to London Waterloo services are being rerouted after Fulwell, with additional stops at Strawberry Hill and Twickenham, while skipping Hampton, Kingston, Norbiton, New Malden, Raynes Park, and Wimbledon. Conversely, London Waterloo to Shepperton services are diverted after Clapham Junction, adding calls at Twickenham and Strawberry Hill, but omitting Wimbledon, Raynes Park, New Malden, Norbiton, Kingston, and Hampton Wick.
At Clapham Junction, multiple platforms are closed, affecting services from London Waterloo towards Wimbledon and Woking on both the main and suburban lines in both directions. This adds to the travel woes for passengers navigating the area.
Additional Transport Issues
Beyond the rail network, the District Underground line is experiencing severe delays westbound between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington due to train cancellations, although the rest of the line maintains a good service. This compounds the challenges for commuters seeking alternative routes during the evening rush hour.
Authorities advise travelers to check for live updates and plan accordingly, as the situation continues to evolve with ongoing emergency response efforts.
