Passengers in Brighton are facing major disruption throughout the morning
By Bob Dale & Hanna Neter
BBC News, South East
Rail services across Sussex and Surrey have been severely disrupted due to a major signalling fault.
A power failure in the early hours of Monday has caused delays and cancellations to Southern and Thameslink services.
Govia Thameslink said it expected the disruption between East Croydon and Brighton to continue until 15:00 GMT.
Network Rail apologised and told passengers to check with train operators before travelling.
- No Gatwick Express trains are running until further notice
- Services between Brighton and Chichester reduced to one train an hour
- No Thameslink services between Cambridge and Brighton
- Delays and cancellations between Brighton, Portsmouth and Chichester
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “At 03:04 there was a loss of power across some the UK Power Networks which significantly impacted our Three Bridges Signalling Centre which controls the signalling across the majority of our Sussex route.
“All signalling was restored at 06:30 and while some Southern services have resumed operating across the Sussex route, a number of Southern and Thameslink services remain significantly disrupted and there are currently no Gatwick Express services in operation until further notice.
“We’re really sorry to any passengers disrupted this morning and we encourage passengers to check with their train operator before travelling for the latest information and updates.”
Image source, Eddie Mitchell
Passengers are being advised to allow at least an extra 60 minutes for their journeys
Network Rail said a points failure at Haywards Heath, which had put two of the station’s platforms out of use, had been repaired.
Services through the station have now increased to six trains an hour, although a separate points failure at Preston Park near Brighton was still impacting services.
Passengers are being advised to allow at least an extra 60 minutes for their journeys.
Image source, Network Rail
Network Rail engineers have been repairing points failures at Haywards Heath and Preston Park
Matt Daymond returned to Brighton station for a second attempt to get into work, after initially being told there were no trains at all.
“I need to get into the office, I’ve got some important meetings to go to” he said.
“I work somewhere they expect you to be in so you end up having to go in late and then stay in late, because they expect you to put the hours in.”
Matt Daymond had to make two trips to the station in his attempt to get to work
Ben Jackson and Arabella Saucell were trying to travel home from Brighton to Manchester.
“We woke up this morning and realised there were a few delays” said Mr Jackson.
“I’ve got the half-day off work so I might have to let them know that I can’t make it in.”
Ms Saucell said: “We’re kind of used to it by now. It’s always like this. When I went back for Christmas it was the same.”
Ben Jackson and Arabella Saucell said they have become used to delays on their regular journeys between Brighton and Manchester
Fiona Burton, who was trying to get from Brighton to London Bridge, accepted she would be late for work, but said she had an understanding employer.
She said: “I’ll probably be about half an hour late, but they’re pretty flexible.
“I’m not that bothered. I’d rather be here than in the office!”
Fiona Burton’s morning commute was affected by the cancellations
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