Train passengers across southern England are facing major disruption today as a fault with a radio system impacts seven rail services. The affected operators include South Western Railway (SWR), CrossCountry, Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway, London Overground, Southern, and Thameslink. National Rail Enquiries has warned that delays could reach up to 45 minutes, with cancellations likely, and major disruption is expected to last until the end of the day.
Radio System Fault Causes Widespread Issues
The fault involves the communication system used by train drivers and signallers, leading to significant delays and cancellations across the network. South Western Railway initially reported issues with communication systems at London Waterloo, but the problem has since spread to affect services across the entire southern region. Trains are currently operating under signaller instructions while teams work to locate and fix the fault. No estimated time for resolution has been provided.
Impact on Services
SWR has warned of delays of up to 90 minutes across its entire network, with disruption expected until the end of the day. Gatwick Express has also reported delays on services to and from London Victoria, with further disruption likely, including cancellations. Passengers are advised to check station screens and listen to announcements for the latest information. Tickets are being accepted on alternative routes at no extra cost, including bus services in several locations.
Alternative Travel Options
Tickets are being accepted on a number of bus services in Woking, Basingstoke, Southampton, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Salisbury, and Exeter. Specific bus routes include Stagecoach services in Basingstoke, Salisbury Reds routes, and various Stagecoach routes in Exeter. Additionally, rail tickets can be used on Great Western Railway, Southern, and CrossCountry services via any reasonable route. London Underground services, including the Piccadilly, Jubilee, and District lines, are also accepting tickets, as are Transport for London buses between Zone 1 and Zone 6.
Advice for Passengers
Passengers are urged to allow extra time for their journeys, keep up to date with live travel information, and speak to station staff for the latest advice. Those who choose alternative transport should keep their tickets and any receipts for reasonable additional costs, and check operator guidance for refunds or compensation. South Western Railway has apologised for the disruption and assured that operations and engineering teams are working alongside signallers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
