Commuters travelling through London Victoria are being urged to use other stations after fire damage near the tracks caused major disruption expected to last all day.
Rush hour journeys were hampered this morning following a trackside fire near Clapham Junction that struck yesterday. Vital signalling equipment was damaged after being engulfed by flames.
Severe delays and reduced service
The worst affected services include Southern and Gatwick Express trains to and from Victoria, including to Gatwick Airport. Trains that can run are expected to be extremely busy, and trains between Clapham Junction and London Victoria Hill face delays of up to 60 minutes.
National Rail said: 'If you are planning to travel to or from London Victoria this morning, you are strongly advised to use an alternative London terminal instead.'
An extremely reduced train service is running to and from London Victoria until at least 12:00, as emergency engineering repairs have been taking place overnight and throughout this morning. A limited half-hourly service will operate between London Victoria and East Croydon.
Alternative travel options
Passengers can use their ticket at no extra cost on alternative Southern services on any reasonable route, London Underground services on any reasonable route, and TfL buses. National Rail strongly advised delaying travel until later today or using an alternative route.
Major disruption is expected to last at least until 2pm, National Rail said. London Overground and South Western Railway services can run as normal, but several routes will be 'heavily disrupted' throughout the day, including trains between London Victoria and Ore, Littlehampton, Epsom Downs, London Bridge, Dorking, Brighton, East Grinstead, and between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction, as well as Gatwick Express services to Gatwick Airport.
