Commuters across London are facing a challenging start to the week after a significant electricity failure triggered severe delays on key rail routes during the Monday morning rush hour.
Major Rail Routes Paralyzed
The power issue, which occurred on Monday, November 10, is preventing trains from leaving the depot, causing a cascade of cancellations and lengthy hold-ups. The most severe impact is being felt on the critical route between Clapham Junction and London Victoria, where services are being cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.
National Rail has confirmed that the disruption is expected to last until at least 8am. Commuter services originating from Surrey and Sussex are among the hardest hit. Specific routes suffering major disruption include the Gatwick Express between London Victoria and Brighton, as well as services to and from East Grinstead, Horsham, Dorking, and Sutton.
To manage the situation, some services may be amended or run with fewer carriages than usual. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journey with National Rail before setting out.
Further Travel Woes Across the Capital
The travel misery extends beyond the national rail network, with separate issues affecting the London Underground. The Metropolitan line is currently suspended between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due to significant leaf fall on the tracks. Transport for London (TfL) has stated that this closure will remain in place throughout the entire day.
Additionally, the Central line is experiencing minor delays in West London following an earlier incident involving a trespasser on the track. This combination of events has created a perfect storm for Monday morning travellers, underscoring the fragility of the city's transport infrastructure during the autumn season.
Advice for Affected Passengers
With multiple disruptions occurring simultaneously, the advice for commuters is clear. Both National Rail and TfL are urging all passengers to check the latest travel information before beginning their journey. The power failure at the depot has created a significant bottleneck, and the knock-on effects are likely to be felt for some time even after the initial issue is resolved. Travelers are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys and to consider alternative routes where possible.
