Trains cancelled today in London as Storm Ciar?n causes disruption
People wait for trains at Euston station in June 2022. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
London train services have been severly impacted as Storm Ciarán strikes the UK.
Yellow weather warnings for rain and wind remain in place for London on Thursday (November 2), with amber warnings elsewhere in the country.
National Rail says Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink passengers should reconsider their journey.
“If you plan to travel on routes to, from or around the South Coast today, you should strongly consider whether your journey is necessary. You should work from home if you can,” it says.
“There is a strong risk of fallen trees and debris being blown onto the tracks, with major disruption likely to the service on Thursday morning
“Where lines are closed due to the storm it is unlikely that staff will be able to provide rail replacement transport. Teams expect road conditions to be very poor.
“The route between Brighton to London will have a significantly reduced service, specifically don’t attempt to travel from Brighton toward London during this morning’s peak.”
Romford to Shenfield
Following flooding between between Shenfield and Romford, lines have reopened.
Elizabeth line
Severe delays continue on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Shenfield due to flooding caused by heavy rain in the Shenfield area.
Trampolines
Everyone needs to get a grip on their trampolines.
Moorgate to Finsbury Park
A fault with the signalling system between Moorgate and Finsbury Park means some lines are disrupted. As a result, trains may be delayed. This is expected until 11.15am.
Shenfield to Romford
Flooding between between Shenfield and Romford means some lines are disrupted. Trains may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 11:30am.
Southeastern
“We strongly advise that you do not attempt to travel on ‘Mainline’ routes this morning.”
Trampoline on the tracks
This was the scene in Hastings earlier.
Elizabeth line
Severe delays between Whitechapel and Shenfield due to flooding caused by heavy rain in the Shenfield area.
Story continues
Minor delays between Heathrow Airport and Hayes & Harlington due to an earlier track fault at Heathrow.
Central line
Severe delays due to shortage of trains.
Gatwick or Luton airports
Check with your airline to see how your trip might be affected, allow extra travel time to reach Gatwick and Luton if travelling by train.
Southern
Southern will run fewer services between Ore and Hastings, as trains from London Victoria will only run as far as Hastings on the route, returning from there.
There will be no direct Southern services between London Victoria and either Portsmouth or Southampton Central, as these trains will only run between London Victoria and Bognor Regis.
It is expected that Southern services from Brighton towards Southampton Central will be significantly delayed during their journey, and many will terminate before getting to Southampton Central, leading to a reduced service in the other direction from Southampton Central.
Thameslink routes north of London and Great Northern
Services should run, but check be prepared for some cancellations.
Great Western Railway
All lines between Reading and Gatwick are currently closed due to severe weather. Cancellions are expected until midday.
Great Western Railway says replacement road transport has been requested to run on this route but due to the current conditions, may be difficult to resource.
Gatwick Express
Gatwick Express services will only run between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, reducing the service between Gatwick Airport and Brighton.
LNER
LNER, which runs out of King’s Cross, is warning of major disruption in Scotland and the north of England. It is advising customers to avoid travelling from Thursday to Friday. Some LNER trains will be running, but there is likely to be major disruption including severe delays, short notice cancellations and overcrowding. There may be service alterations on Saturday as the timetable is reinstated.
Southeastern metro routes
An off-peak tietable will run until Friday due to the effects of the storm.
Heathrow Airport
Urgent repairs to the track are causing disruption to journeys running to and from Heathrow Airport on the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line. Trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to 10 minutes. Disruption is anticpiated until 09.30am.