The UK's largest railway franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), has lifted a 'do not travel' alert issued Wednesday morning after a train derailment and signalling faults, but services remain disrupted. The alert, in place at 8am, urged passengers not to travel on Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services 'if at all possible' due to multiple incidents.
The incidents included a train derailment at a depot in Selhurst, south-east London, and a signalling fault between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction. Network Rail confirmed the derailed train remained upright with no injuries, but blocked other trains from leaving the depot. The signalling fault reduced available lines and required slower speeds.
By 10am, the alert was withdrawn, but passengers were warned of cancellations, revisions or delays of up to 60 minutes. Services were suspended on several routes, including London Bridge to East Grinstead, Orpington to Luton, Brighton to Cambridge, and Bedford to Three Bridges, with other Thameslink routes also affected.
A GTR spokesperson apologised for the disruption, stating they were working with Network Rail to resolve issues. GTR, which also operates Great Northern, carries about 18% of UK train trips and is due to be nationalised in May, following the government's ongoing railway nationalisation process.
Elsewhere, signalling faults disrupted services between Crewe and Sandbach, affecting Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern and Transport for Wales, as well as South Western Railway services near Portsmouth.
