Christmas Eve rail disruption hits south coast

South Western Railway said the disruption was expected to last until the end of the day

Christmas Eve travellers faced delays and cancellations on some south coast trains on Tuesday.

A problem with platform equipment at Portsmouth and Southsea station meant some services were cancelled, delayed or revised, according to South Western Railway (SWR).

At 18:00 BST, SWR confirmed the trains were running normally again.

The operator said anyone who was delayed by more than 15 minutes may be able to claim compensation.

Rail links between Fratton and Portsmouth and Southsea were still in place on different lines, and SWR services travelling towards Southampton Central were also starting from Fratton.

Commuters at Portsmouth Harbour or Portsmouth and Southsea who needed trains towards Haslemere and Guildford were told to join the services at Fratton.

SWR said earlier that eligible tickets would be accepted on Great Western Railway services between Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour for the duration of the disruption.

Southern services between Havant and Portsmouth Harbour in both directions were also accepting eligible SWR tickets.