South East rail passengers face New Year's Eve travel woes

Travellers have faced disruption throughout the festive period

Rail passengers have been warned of major disruption on New Year's Eve with a severely reduced service and cancellations on some routes.

Thameslink is urging travellers between Bedford, Brighton, Three Bridges and London to consider other options.

It said there would also be no overnight services running and no rail-replacement bus service.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has apologised for the disruption, which it said was due to train crew shortages.

GTR Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: "We're very sorry that we've had to alter and reduce our service this weekend.

"As with train companies in other parts of the country, this is because of train crew shortages, with winter illnesses having a particular impact.

"We're doing our best to limit the impact and spread services but, regrettably, we strongly advise passengers to check their journeys before setting out.

"On Sunday, the service will be particularly affected in the afternoon with no Thameslink trains overnight."   

Tunnel flooding

Meanwhile, Eurostar services have resumed and Southeastern's full high-speed service into Kent was running again following flooding in the Thames tunnels.

Thousands of travellers had their plans thrown into chaos after cancellations to those services on Saturday.

However, Southeastern warned there would be no trains to or from London Victoria on Sunday or Monday while major engineering work takes place.

Additional late-night trains will run after midnight on Monday from Charing Cross and Cannon Street, it added.

And on Monday, buses will replace trains on the Maidstone East Line and between Folkestone Central and Dover Priory.

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