Commuters travelling through London Waterloo faced significant disruption on Wednesday morning after an overhead wire fault brought South Western Railway (SWR) services to a near standstill.
The fault, which occurred near Clapham Junction, caused widespread delays and cancellations across the network, affecting thousands of passengers during peak hours.
What Happened?
According to SWR, the incident was reported shortly after 6:30 AM, with engineers working urgently to resolve the issue. However, the damage to the overhead wires led to severe speed restrictions, causing a ripple effect of delays throughout the morning rush.
Impact on Services
Passengers were advised to expect delays of up to 90 minutes, with some services cancelled altogether. Key routes affected included:
- London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside
- London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour
- London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
Alternative travel options were limited, with SWR urging passengers to use alternative routes or delay their journeys if possible.
Passenger Frustration
Social media was flooded with complaints from frustrated travellers, many of whom reported overcrowding at stations and a lack of clear communication from SWR.
"Absolute chaos at Waterloo this morning. No announcements, just endless waiting," one passenger tweeted.
What’s Next?
SWR has confirmed that repairs are ongoing, but full service restoration may take several hours. Passengers are advised to check live updates before travelling.
This incident follows a series of recent disruptions on the SWR network, raising questions about the reliability of the UK’s rail infrastructure.
