23.06.16
Services disrupted across south east after flooding and lightning strikes
Train services across the south east are facing disruptions today after a night of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The delays were caused by flooding at Bexleyheath, Catford and Wandsworth Common and on the Redhill to Tonbridge line, and lightning strikes at Surbiton and Blackheath.
Trains to London Cannon Street are being diverted to Charing Cross and Blackfriars, and Southern services from London Victoria to Brighton, Sutton and Epsom are suspended.
A Network Rail spokesperson warned that the effects of the storms were still ongoing and unpredictable.
“It’s a very fast moving picture this morning, with flash floods still arising and others falling in a variety of different routes into London,” they said. “Our advice to passengers in the south east this morning is to please check before you travel, either with your operator's website or on National Rail Enquiries.
“Our staff have been out all night and are still out in the rain working with pumps and repairing damage, and we are doing all that we can to keep trains running.”
Across the network, Abellio Greater Anglia, c2c, Southern, Gatwick Express, Southeastern, London Overground, TfL Rail and Thameslink services are all affected.
Trains are unable to run between Surrey Quays and New Cross and between Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes Central, and services between Redhill and Tonbridge are subject to delays.
In addition to the flooding, trains between Richmond/ Clapham Junction and Stratford are being delayed by a broken-down train at Hackney Wick.
Services are being delayed by up to 40 minutes on the Bedford, London St Pancras and Brighton route.
A recent RSSB report said that the rail industry must do more to prepare for the impact of extreme weather events, which are likely to grow more frequent as a result of global warming.
Services between Buxton and Hazel Grove were also cancelled last week because of delays caused by flash floods, although Network Rail said this week that it expects the railway to reopen on Saturday (24 June).
(Image c. Network Rail)
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.