Rail services in the South hit by radio system fault

The issue is forcing widespread disruption this morning (Friday 6th)

Author: Neil Lancefield, PAPublished 6th Dec 2024
Last updated 6th Dec 2024

Rail passengers across the South and around Britain face disruption due to a fault with a radio system used by train drivers and signallers.

Train information website National Rail Enquiries said trains "across the network" are having to start their journeys later because of the failure of the onboard GSM-R system, and "may be subject to cancellations or alterations".

South Western Railway, which operates services in Hampshire and Dorset, is among the operators to cancel some services.

It said in a message to passengers:

"We have been informed of a national issue with communication systems affecting service this morning.

"This means that trains may be delayed before they start their journey.

"This is because it is preventing our train drivers from contacting the respective signalling centre this morning and a reset is having to be performed before the train can start its journey."

The operator said the disruption was expected to continue until 12pm.

Other operators affected include Southern, Thameslink and Southeastern.

Southern has said that services between Brighton and Southampton Central will only be running to either Bognor Regis or Chichester until further notice.

The failure with the GSM-R system "is currently being investigated", National Rail Enquiries said.

GSM-R is designed to enable driver and signallers to communicate digitally at all times, including while trains are in areas such as tunnels and deep cuttings where previous analogue systems did not work.

It was rolled out to increase safety and reduce costs by replacing the patchwork of inefficient legacy systems which were expensive to maintain.

Network Rail has been approached for comment.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.