Charing Cross: Southeastern commuters face rush-hour 'nightmare'
- Published
Morning commuters struggled to get on to overcrowded services after trains were cancelled
Rail passengers are being warned to expect further disruption to train services in and out of London this evening.
Trains into Charing Cross and Waterloo East were suspended this morning after a track defect was found at New Cross.
Network Rail SE said the broken section had been temporarily repaired, external but further "urgent work" was needed.
Trains to Charing Cross have resumed but speed restrictions mean only half the usual trains will run per hour.
Southeastern Trains said: "Disruption is expected until the end of the day."
Some services have been diverted to London Victoria or London Cannon Street.
Commuters waited on crowded platforms at London Bridge during the morning rush-hour
Images of busy platforms and people struggling to fit into overcrowded carriages were shared on social media, as passengers battled the morning commute.
Posting on Twitter, Network Rail explained: "We're working on a plan to run trains around the problem but it's not a normal rail, so it's not an easy fix...
"One track crosses over another... we have to cut it out and replace it with a new part."
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
However, the explanation did not satisfy all those trying to use the service.
Responding to Network Rail's post, Twitter user Nick Cook said: "Se—Railway this what we're confronted with. National disgrace."
The track defect at New Cross has had a major impact on services using Charing Cross in London
Freelance designer Ellie, 39, asked: "Wondering how such a big crack in the line could suddenly appear networkrail. Surely you work on preventing these sorts of things to appear?"
Other passengers caught up in the disruption have also spoken of their frustration and "nightmare" levels of overcrowding on alternative routes.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Thameslink services were also affected earlier between Bedford, Luton and Rainham and London Bridge.
And Great Northern trains into Moorgate experienced long delays following a signal failure.
BBC Travel London, external has the latest travel information.