'Severe' train disruption due to overhead wire issue

Passengers at Peterborough said there were "massive" queues at the station

Passengers faced severe train disruption in the East of England on Friday evening.

Thameslink, and London North Eastern Railway (LNER), said people travelling through Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire were delayed due to issues with overhead wires between Peterborough and Stevenage, which blocked all lines.

One passenger travelling to Peterborough from London Kings Cross said her train stopped at Stevenage and crew gave passengers the option to “get down and take a taxi or wait onboard”. She said her journey "took more than 120 minutes” instead of 45.

Thameslink said on its X account: “Services are experiencing severe delays and we are unable to run between Stevenage and Hitchin”.

Passengers reported “massive” queues for taxis at Peterborough train station.

One traveller described the disruption as “major”. She claimed LNER crews on board the 18:18 train from King’s Cross said the company would pay for a hotel or taxi if passengers chose to leave the stalled service at Stevenage.

Train providers said teams were working hard to get more updates but advised residents against travel tonight, if possible.