Charing Cross delays: Commuters hit by rush-hour chaos after Southeastern trains suspended to two London stations

Commuters faced rush-hour chaos this morning after trains were suspended to two major London railway stations.

Trains to Charing Cross and Waterloo East were set to be suspended until at least 10am on Tuesday due to urgent repairs to tracks, Southeastern Railway said.

The disruption was sparked by a crack in a rail line found overnight at New Cross in south east London.

At around 8.15am, the train operator said the track had been repaired and some services would be reinstated after 9.30am, but it warned: "Trains may still be delayed, revised or cancelled."

Trains to Charing Cross have since resumed but speed restrictions mean only 10 trains will run per hour instead of the usual 20.

However, South Western Railway lines towards London Waterloo remain blocked, with disruption expected until 11am and with issues further blighting services through Wimbledon.

National Rail posted an update just before 9am saying: "A fault with the signalling equipment at London Waterloo means some lines are blocked. As a result, trains to and from London Waterloo may be cancelled, delayed or revised."

Meanwhile, Thameslink services also remain affected between Bedford, Luton and Rainham and London Bridge.

Southeastern said trains unable to serve Charing Cross and Waterloo East would be diverted to London Victoria or London Cannon Street.

Passengers have been encouraged to take London Underground services at no extra cost between Victoria, Embankment, Blackfriars, Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Southwark, London Bridge, Canning Town and Elephant & Castle.

There were also severe delays on the District Line during this morning's rush hour, affecting the route between Turnham Green and Richmond. The delay was caused by the late finish of engineering works, Transport for London said.

The same issue has caused the London Overground to be suspended between Richmond and Willesden Junction.

Commuters complained of packed carriages and communication failures as they struggled to make their way into the city, with one woman branding the problems a “national disgrace”.

Freelance designer Ellie, 39, asked: “Wondering how such a big crack in the line could suddenly appear @networkrail. Surely you work on preventing these sorts of things to appear?

“It shouldn’t be THIS hard to get to work. Network Rail and Southeastern trains are unfit for service.”

She added: “Southeastern trains are delayed every day. I honestly haven’t caught a train on time since October. As a daily freelancer, it makes my life very stressful."

Another frustrated Twitter user messaged Southeastern Railway earlier in the morning, saying: "So we are all crammed on a train at Dartford stopping at all stations to Cannon St. how’s anybody gonna get on!"

The operator responded: "With Charing Cross being closed unfortunately it's inevitable that Cannon Street trains will therefore be extremely busy. Apologies for any discomfort - we're doing all we can to keep people moving this morning."

Others complained that a number of trains to Cannon Street had been cancelled altogether.

"Yeah Cannon Street service is working well ...absolute clowns, every day there is something," tweeted an exasperated passenger.

While others vented their anger at the rail service more generally, with one writing "@Se_Railway so not only was I stuck on a broken down train yesterday for two hours. My train today is now an hour delay too. Sort your trains out!!!!"

Another commented: "As someone who suffers on an almost daily basis with delays, the lack of up to date information from station staff is woefully inadequate. I am sure most commuters would agree with that."

Another wrote simply: "Typical."

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