Passengers across South East England are experiencing significant rail disruption on Wednesday, with multiple incidents leading to widespread cancellations and delays on key routes. Rail operators Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express, all part of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise, have issued warnings, though a previously issued "do not travel" alert has now been lifted.
Incidents Causing Major Delays
The disruption stems from two primary incidents. Firstly, a train derailment occurred near the Selhurst depot in southeast London, involving an empty train that was not in passenger service. This incident prevented other trains from leaving the depot, although no injuries have been confirmed. Images from the scene show one carriage skewed across the track, but the entire train remained upright, with engineers working to resolve the issue.
Signal Failures Compound Problems
In addition to the derailment, a separate signal failure between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction has exacerbated the situation. This fault has caused further delays and disruptions, including impacts on the London Overground's Windrush Line. National Rail has reported that a signalling system fault between Crewe and Sandbach is also affecting services, with trains running at reduced speeds and potential delays of up to 40 minutes.
Travel Advice for Passengers
Rail operators are advising passengers to allow extra time for their journeys. Specifically, those travelling to Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport Parkway are recommended to add at least 60 minutes to their travel plans, while Southern and Thameslink suggest an additional 45 minutes. Operators have confirmed that tickets for disrupted services are being accepted on alternative routes and some bus services south of London at no extra cost.
Apologies and Ongoing Efforts
In a joint statement, GTR and Network Rail apologised for the impact on passengers, acknowledging that the disruption is expected to continue for the rest of the day. They stated, "A fault with the signalling system between Norwood Junction and London Bridge, along with the derailment of an empty train at Selhurst depot, means our services are disrupted. We're working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible."
Background on GTR Services
Govia Thameslink Railway, which also includes operator Great Northern, is the UK's largest railway franchise by passenger numbers, accounting for approximately 18% of all train journeys in the country. This widespread disruption highlights the significant impact on commuters and travellers across the region.
