London travel news LIVE: Derailed train and overhead wire damage cause huge disruption as bus strikes begin
London train services are facing major disruption on Friday following a serious derailment.
Two people are being treated for “severe” injuries after a Southern train from London Victoria to Eastbourne carrying 150 people derailed in East Sussex yesterday afternoon.
The lines are closed for the foreseeable future, causing serious disruption to services with passengers being told to add an hour to expected journey times.
Meanwhile, damage to overhead electric wires between London St Pancras International and Bedford is causing major disruption to Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services.
Away from the railways, the first in a series of London bus strikes is under way impacting more than 40 routes in the north and east of the capital.
Follow the latest updates below...
Live updates
Video: Bus drivers at the picket line at Stamford Hill Garage this morning
Footage shared on social media shows bus drivers on strike and standing at the picket line outside Stamford Hill Bus Garage this morning.
The strike has been called by Unite the union and will effect garages in north London.
Garages impacted are: Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green.
Images from the Lewes train derailment appear to show a bowed section
Images of the track where a train derailed just outside of Lewes station yesterday appears to show a bowed section.
The RAIB are on the scene to establish the cause of the derailment.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is at the scene in Lewes
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has arrived at the scene in Lewes where a train derailment took place yesterday.
A van could be seen close to the Landport area of Lewes in East Sussex.
The RAIB will carry out the the investigation into what happened.
Southern says the line will be blocked until the investigation has been concluded.
When will the Lewes-Haywards Heath line reopen?
No timetable has been given for when the railway will be able to “safely reopen” after the derailment near Lewes, Network Rail has said.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail route director for Sussex, told a press conference: “This is an evolving and complex situation.
“We will provide updates as soon as we have a clear understanding of the recovery work required and when the railway can safely reopen.”
She urged passengers to check before they travel.
She added: “I can only apologise to everyone who has been impacted by this incident but I also must thank the local response teams and community for everything they have done to support the response to this situation.”
Bus strikes start today as 1,500 drivers walk out
More than 1,500 bus drivers from eight garages in London are going on strike today in a dispute over working conditions during hot weather.
Members of Unite employed by Arriva North London are set to walk out on 26 dates from August to October with services across north London and Essex affected.
Strike action is scheduled to take place:
- Between 04:00 14 August and 04:30 15 August
- Between 04:00 18 August and 04:30 21 August
- Between 04:00 25 August and 04:30 28 August
- Between 04:00 4 September and 04:30 5 September
- Between 04:00 7 September and 04:30 8 September
- Between 04:00 18 September and 04:30 19 September
- Between 04:00 21 September and 04:30 22 September
- Between 04:00 2 October and 04:30 3 October
- Between 04:00 5 October and 04:30 6 October
- Between 04:00 16 October and 04:30 17 October
- Between 04:00 19 October and 04:30 20 October
What is the latest on the London Underground?
As of 8am, there are severe delays on the Piccadilly line between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 5 while engineers fix a signal failure at Heathrow Terminals 2&3.
There are minor delays on the Central line between Leytonstone and Epping/Woodford via Hainault and between North Acton and Ealing Broadway/West Ruislip due to train cancellations.
Minor delays are effecting the Victoria line.
'The railway is very safe [...] these incidents are rare' says GTR chief
John Whitehurst, the interim chief executive officer of Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern services, has told BBC Breakfast that "the railway is very safe".
Referencing the derailment in Lewes, he said: "These incidents are rare. We do constant safety checks and put speed restrictions in place, or stop trains where necessary.
"We are working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and emergency services. The line will be blocked until this has taken place."
Whitehurst says the safety of passengers is the priority.
Major disruption in Bedford due to damage to the overhead wires
Elsewhere on the London Overground, there is significant disruption between London St Pancras International and Bedford due to damage to the overhead electric wires.
East Midlands Railway and Thameslink services are affected.
Some lines have now reopened, however, repairs are still on going so all lines can be available.
As a result of this, trains running between these stations may be cancelled, severely delayed or revised.
Major disruption is expected until midday.
Route director 'shocked and saddened' by incident in Lewes
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail's Sussex route director, says she is “shocked and saddened” by the incident.
“We’re working with the rail accident investigation branch to understand what has happened here, and while that's ongoing, we're working on this complex site to safely recover the railway and reopen for customers as soon as possible,” she added.
What has Network Rail said about the incident in Lewes?
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Following the incident, the railway between Lewes and Haywards Heath remains closed until further notice while investigations, detailed assessments and repairs are carried out.
“Southern are continuing to work closely with their Network Rail partners, whose engineers and specialist teams are assessing the damage and identifying the work needed before trains can safely run again.
“Until the investigations, assessments and repairs are complete, services will be cancelled or changed, and journeys may take longer than usual. Replacement transport is being provided where possible to help you continue your journey.
“Please check your journey before travelling and allow extra time.
“Southern will provide further updates as more information becomes available.”
