A man spotted walking on the tracks near Waterloo Station caused significant disruption to rail services on July 8, with normal service not expected to resume until 4pm. The trespass occurred shortly after midday, affecting South Western Railway services passing through the station.
Incident details
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that his train was arriving at Waterloo at 12.25pm when it came to a sudden halt due to the man on the tracks. He described the individual as walking in a zombie-like manner, staring at the floor and following the tracks towards Vauxhall without looking up. Some passengers expressed frustration over the delay.
Service disruption
A South Western Railway spokesman confirmed that all lines were disrupted due to the trespass. Train services to and from Waterloo may be cancelled, delayed, or revised. Response teams were dispatched to the site, but the exact reopening time was unknown. All services in and out of Waterloo were placed on a stand to assist the individual to safety.
Many South Western Railway services are likely to be cancelled or delayed by 30 minutes or more. Passengers were advised to use alternative transport options at no extra cost.
Alternative travel arrangements
Tickets were accepted on London buses between Waterloo, Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Surbiton, Hampton Court, Kingston, Epsom, Tolworth, Chessington South, Shepperton, and Teddington. On the London Underground, tickets were valid on the District line between Richmond, Wimbledon, Earl’s Court, East Putney, Kew Gardens, and Embankment; the Piccadilly line between Hounslow West and Green Park; the Northern line between Embankment and Waterloo; the Victoria line between Waterloo, Victoria, and Vauxhall; and the Bakerloo line between Waterloo, Paddington, and Elephant & Castle.
Additionally, tickets could be used on Southern services between London Victoria, Clapham Junction, Epsom, and Dorking in both directions; Thameslink services between Wimbledon and Elephant & Castle to connect with London Underground towards Waterloo; and Great Western Railway services between Guildford and Reading, London Paddington and Windsor & Eton Central, London Paddington and Reading, and Basingstoke and Reading.
