A severe "do not travel" alert has been issued by the UK's largest railway franchise, causing widespread disruption across south-east England's rail network. Train operators Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express – all part of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise – have urgently advised passengers to avoid travelling on Wednesday morning "if at all possible" due to multiple significant incidents.
Multiple Incidents Cause Major Network Disruption
The disruption stems from two primary incidents: a train derailment inside a depot in Selhurst, south-east London, and a critical fault with the signalling system between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction. The derailment is preventing trains from leaving the depot, while the signalling fault means fewer rail lines are available between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars, with trains on available lines forced to travel at reduced speeds.
Extensive Service Suspensions and Alterations
National Rail Enquiries has confirmed that services are suspended on several key routes including London Bridge to East Grinstead, Orpington to Luton, Brighton to Cambridge, and Bedford to Three Bridges. Multiple services are operating with significant alterations, with trains between Welwyn Garden City and Sevenoaks only running between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks, and Rainham to Luton services reduced to operate only between Rainham and Dartford.
Trains that normally operate between Horsham and Peterborough, or Brighton and Bedford, may be diverted via Selhurst instead of Norwood Junction. Disruption is expected to continue until at least 1pm, with Southern advising passengers that journeys may be delayed by up to 60 minutes and alternative routes may be necessary.
Operator Response and Passenger Advice
A GTR spokesperson stated: "We're very sorry for the disruption that customers have experienced this morning. A fault with the signalling system between Norwood Junction and London Bridge, along with a train derailment at Selhurst depot, are causing the disruption. We're working with Network Rail to resolve these issues as quickly as possible."
Passengers have been advised to check the operator's website and social media accounts for the latest travel information. Those whose journeys are disrupted are permitted to use tickets on certain alternative routes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the derailment incident at Selhurst depot.
Scale of the Franchise Impact
The disruption affects the UK's largest railway franchise in terms of passenger numbers, with GTR services accounting for approximately 18% of all train journeys in the country. The franchise, which also includes operator Great Northern, serves millions of passengers across south-east England, making this morning's incidents particularly significant for commuters and travellers across the region.
