Rail travel across Britain disrupted after communications failure

Rail travellers across Britain faced disruption on Friday after a fault in a radio system used by drivers and signallers nationwide prompted cancellations across the network. The issue, which occurred during the busy morning commute, has led to “short-notice” delays and cancellations throughout the UK, according to National Rail, which represents train operating companies. Lines affected include the Elizabeth Line serving London’s Heathrow Airport and the Gatwick Express to the capital’s second-biggest airport.

The fault mainly affects trains as they are preparing to leave the depot at the start of their journeys, but trains can run normally once they are underway, National Rail said.

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“This is because it is preventing our train drivers from contacting the respective signaling center this morning and a reset is having to be performed before the train can start its journey,” South Western Railway reported.

rain services across the country are expected to face delays until midday following disruptions in radio communications.

National rail has announced several service changes as a result:

• Trains between Brighton and Southampton Central will only run to either Bognor Regis or Chichester.
• Services from London Victoria to Ore will terminate at Hastings and will restart from there.
• The Gatwick Express between London Victoria and Brighton will terminate at Gatwick Airport and restart from there.
• Trains from Kings Lynn to London Kings Cross will only operate between Kings Lynn and Cambridge.

National Rail has confirmed that passengers can use their tickets on Southern, Thameslink, and Great Northern services via any reasonable route at no extra charge, as well as on the London Underground for reasonable routes between London terminals.