South London’s rail network has been thrown into chaos by a signalling shutdown
Rail services were thrown into chaos on Thursday after a signalling shutdown the night before.
There was a total loss of power in the Streatham Common area, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said. Disruption began on Wednesday night and continued into Friday morning.
Passengers were advised to avoid Victoria, the second busiest station in the country – though Southeastern trains said their services to and from Victoria are running normally.
A spokesman from GTR, which operates Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, said: “In the meantime passengers are urged not to travel from the south on our remaining services, which will be heavily overcrowded.”
Gatwick Airport said flight passengers should leave extra time for their journeys.
National Rail first issued a warning about a fault with the signalling system at about 11.30pm last night.
Engineers had not fixed the problem by Thursday morning so all trains were blocked through Streatham Common station causing disruption, cancellations and delays until the end of the day’s services.
Trains were packed as commuters with tickets to Victoria were allowed on board other services.
Have you had a problem with your train today? Write to news@slpmedia.co.uk
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
