London Waterloo Emergency Incident Causes Major Disruptions for Commuters
Commuters departing from London Waterloo station are currently experiencing significant disruptions due to an emergency incident. The situation arises from emergency services managing an incident between Woking and Wimbledon, which has blocked all train lines.
Details of the Emergency Incident
According to South Western Railway (SWR), the ongoing incident has forced the shutdown of electrical power that powers the trains in the affected areas. As a result, train services cannot operate until this issue is resolved. Network Rail Wessex stated, “Due to emergency services dealing with this incident, we have had to turn off the electricity that powers the trains.”
Impact on Train Services
- All lines between Wimbledon and Effingham Junction/Hampton Court/Woking are affected.
- Trains are expected to be delayed by up to 100 minutes.
- While lines have reopened, significant disruptions are anticipated until the end of the day.
Passengers at Waterloo Station are facing long queues, and entry to the station building has been restricted. Furthermore, Transport for London (TfL) mentioned that Bakerloo line trains are not stopping at Waterloo to prevent further overcrowding.
Alternative Travel Options
To ease the burden on commuters, SWR is allowing travel on alternative bus routes and Great Western Railway services. Affected tickets are valid on the following routes:
- Great Western Railway services between Basingstoke and Reading, in both directions.
- Services between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids, in both directions.
- London Buses, as confirmed by TfL.
Despite these measures, delays and cancellations are likely as services attempt to resume normal operations. Passengers are advised to stay updated on the situation as it unfolds. Jubilee Line and Northern Line trains continue to operate normally, providing some relief for commuters in the area.
