Disruption expected as 'do not travel' alert lifted by UK's largest train franchise
Passengers urged to check train services following multiple incidents affecting South-East routes
Last updated 9 hours ago
A "do not travel" alert has been lifted by the UK's largest railway franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), though disruption is set to continue throughout the day across south-east routes.
Train operators Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express earlier advised passengers not to travel due to "multiple incidents," including a train derailment near Selhurst depot in south-east London and a signalling fault between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction.
The alert was issued at 7.52am and withdrawn by 10am, but passengers are still advised to expect delays of up to 60 minutes, with services facing potential cancellations and revisions.
Thameslink had warned travellers of significant disruption across its Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink networks, urging passengers to plan for longer journey times or refrain from travel if possible.
The derailment, which involved a Southern train, prevented multiple trains from leaving Selhurst depot. Network Rail reported that the train remained upright and confirmed no injuries.
National Rail Enquiries explained that signalling issues meant fewer rail lines were operational between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars, requiring slower travel speeds and suspending services between several major routes.
GTR spokesperson said, "We're very sorry for the disruption that customers have experienced this morning. We're working with Network Rail to resolve these issues as quickly as possible."
Passengers are advised to regularly check the GTR website and social media for updates, while tickets can be used on alternative routes without additional charges.
Affected services include: London Bridge to East Grinstead, Brighton to Cambridge, Bedford to Three Bridges, among others, with various alterations to Southern and Thameslink connections.
Compensation claims may be filed by those facing delays, requiring passengers to retain train tickets and note journey details for submissions.
As the largest railway franchise in terms of passenger numbers, GTR carries approximately 18% of train journeys in the UK.
With operations across Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express services, ongoing disruption is anticipated until the end of Wednesday across the network.