Southeastern has cancelled trains across the South of England after bedbugs were found inside carriages near Hastings, East Sussex, on routes serving London and Kent. At least three services were cancelled on Friday.
Infestation fears spread to High Speed 1
Staff spotted the insects inside carriages, and the infestation is feared to have spread after bedbugs were also reportedly seen on Southeastern’s High Speed 1 line services. One train, nicknamed Bedbug Express, went ahead on Tuesday despite the insects being spotted, travelling between London and Kent with two carriages out-of-use.
Drivers have refused to board affected trains after finding the bugs crawling over their belongings, according to The Telegraph. One driver said he would not board unless he was ‘provided with a white full-body protection suit … in case any bugs transfer to themself’ [sic]. Trains have been taken to the Hastings depot for cleaning.
Company response and driver relations
Oly Turner, the train company’s head of drivers, said: ‘We have a great relationship with our drivers, who have helped hugely in cooperating with us over these isolated incidents.
‘When we receive reports such as these, we check trains thoroughly before they are put back into service when given the all clear. Cases have been contained to the drivers cabs in only two of our trains and no bed bugs have been identified in areas for passengers.
‘We continually carry out robust cleaning across our trains and stations, ensuring our customers and employees can travel safely and with confidence.’
Rising bedbug cases and resistance
Southeastern has been contacted for comment. In June, Metro revealed cases were up 40% since 2025 in one London borough, with pest controller James Rhoades reporting a twofold increase in bed bug callouts over the same period. The insects now often appear resistant to many chemicals traditionally used to kill them.
Paul Blackhurst, head of technical academy at Rentokil Pest Control, explains the reason they’re able to spread so well is because they’re ‘experts at staying hidden and avoiding detection.’ ‘They’re often described as silent assassins, emerging under cover of darkness, moving quickly, feeding at night, and hiding in the smallest cracks and crevices near where people sleep,’ he says. ‘By the time people realise they’re there, an infestation may already be well established.’
