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LIVE: Travel chaos as railways across England and Wales hit by network failure
6 December 2024, 08:04 | Updated: 6 December 2024, 08:34
There are significant delays across the railways this morning after a nationwide communications fault.
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Services across the National Rail network may be subject to disruption, delays, cancellations or changes due to an issue with the system train drivers and signallers use to contact each other.
Elizabeth Line services between Heathrow and Reading are impacted.
Passengers are advised to wait for the next available train if the service is cancelled.
ScotRail passengers are being permitted to travel via "any reasonable route" because of the issue.
The failure with the GSM-R system "is currently being investigated", National Rail Enquiries said.
This is a breaking story. Follow our live blog for updates.
Delays easing across UK
With delays easing, we're winding down our coverage.
Good luck with your commute this evening! Things should be largely returned to normal by then.
All lines on Southwestern rail are open
All lines on Southwestern Rail have reopened, the rail service says.
But delays will continue until the end of the day.
'Steady stream of problems'
Storm Darragh causes more problems for passengers
As if a communication failure wasn't enough, heavy rain and wind from Storm Darragh may affect rail services today and tomorrow.
Northern Rail says trains are running at reduced speeds on some lines due to flooding on the railway between Stockport and Navigation Road.
New hardware case to blame for communication fault
The cause of the fault in National rail radio systems has been located and is being fixed, according to the BBC.
Engineers told reporters that a new hardware card installed at the "telecommunications hub" in Stoke is the source of today's train troubles.
The faulty card was installed as part of a system upgrade.
National Rail will now reboot the system in Stoke and install a new hardware card.
Southeastern service expected to return to normal by 11:30
Southeastern Rail says trains can now "set up the radio systems" when being prepared for their journey.
The rail company says the workaround is expected to reduce delays with services returning to normal around 11:30.
Southern rail says most passengers now able to use normal routes
Southern Rail says passengers can now use their "normal route" for most journeys.
Gatwick Express affected by communication issue
The Gatwick Express says its services may be altered or terminated before reaching their destination due to the communication fault.
Passengers affected can use their "ticket at no extra cost on Southern and Thameslink services via any reasonable route."
'Check before you travel'
LBC's travel reporter Joanne Webb says commuters should check their train service's individual website before setting off this morning.
She said: "My best advice is if you need to get a train this morning, just go onto their website, see what's happening with your individual train.
"It's probably going to be delayed. You may be lucky, it may only be delayed by about five minutes, but some trains have actually been completely cancelled."
