Trains cancelled on major London Overground route after 'track defect' (2024)

Train lines have reopened after the signal fault at Clapham Junction earlier today.

National Rail said all lines have now reopened, but disruption is expected until at least 2pm, with Southern and Gatwick Express trains being cancelled or revised.

Gatwick Express wrote on a post on X: ‘All lines have now reopened and we are now working to recover our service timetable.

‘Our first Gatwick Express service will be the 12:29 departing from Victoria to Brighton.

‘This will be followed by further services added to the timetable. Please check your journey using our online journey planners or station departure boards.’

The Transport Secretary is the latest victim of the UK’s train delays, with her journey being disrupted en route to Parliament.

Louise Haigh posted a selfie from a train to London, saying she was facing delays while making her way to Westminster to deliver the Second Reading of the Public Ownership Bill.

The bill, which was introduced into Parliament on July 18, plans to bring the UK’s railways back into public ownership.

After unveiling the bill, the Government said at the time: ‘The privatisation model is failing passengers day in, day out. Publicly-owned passenger rail will put an end to years of waste and fragmentation on our railways and establish a more efficient, higher quality and reliable service.’

Noora Mykkanen

Drivers were warned of delays on the M25 after a vehicle crashed in Essex near Theydon Garnon, spilling its load on the busy motorway.

One lane of three was closed anticlockwise at junction 27 at lunchtime.

The incident is expected to clear by 2.30pm, National Highways said.

Traffic was moving slowly between J29 and J23, with traffic appearing to come to a halt between J25 and J26.

Noora Mykkanen

Just Stop Oil protesters attempted to disrupt flights at Gatwick Airport this morning to call for governments to end extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal.

But holidaymakers, determined to make their flights at the Southern terminal, pushed past the seven activists who had locked their hands near the security check.

Noora Mykkanen

All services have been suspended between Stratford, Richmond and Clapham Junction after a track defect.

The issue at Hampstead Heath means trains are cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 3pm, National Rail warned.

It said: ‘A speed restriction between Willesden Junction and Gospel Oak means all lines are disrupted.’

Noora Mykkanen

Supporters of Extinction Rebellion have occupied the offices of Policy Exchange in Westminster after claiming the group is funded by fossil fuel firms.

Protesters staged a sit-in in the lobby of the Conservative think tank, while others erected a four-metre high tripod with the Grim Reaper in front of the main door.

They also doused the building with fake crude oil appearing to pour out of the windows into the street.

The roads near Policy Exchange just yards from the Cabinet Office and Treasury were briefly blocked, while the action appeared to have no impact on the Tube at St James’s Park and Westminster.

Policy Exchange and the Metropolitan Police were contacted for a comment.

Noora Mykkanen

Eight Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested after the group blocked a section of Gatwick Airport’s Southern terminal today.

However, no flights were disrupted, the police and Gatwick Airport confirmed.

A video posted by the group on its X account shows holidaymakers stepping over the protesters who used suitcase-like boxes to lock themselves together.

Sussex Police said the demonstration took place near the security entrance at about 8am.

The force said: ‘Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of interfering with public infrastructure, and a heightened police presence should be expected at this time.

‘The airport is functioning as usual, and no disruption has been caused by protest activity.’

Noora Mykkanen

Trains to and from Clapham Junction station have been cancelled and delayed after disruption.

Gatwick Express and Southern trains are affected at least until 12 noon, with cancellations, delays and revisions possible.

All Gatwick Express services are suspended.

As fewer trains can run through Clapham Junction, some Southern trains will be cancelled or altered, National Rail said.

London Overground and South Western Railway are not affected.

Noora Mykkanen

Gatwick Airport has commented on the situation at the departures lounge after the Just Stop Oil protest.

Operations at the airport are continuing on as ‘normal’ today despite the incident, the airport said.

There appeared to be no cancellations on the departure board this morning.

A spokesperson for Gatwick told Metro.co.uk: ‘LondonGatwickis open and operating normally today. 

‘There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport.’

Noora Mykkanen

TfL warned of disruption on Hammersmith & City, Northern and Piccadilly lines this morning ahead of what is set to be one of the hottest days of the year.

Here are the affected lines.

Hammersmith & City – Severe delays between Liverpool Street and Barking due to an earlier signal failure.

Northern line – Severe delays between Camden Town and Kennington via Bank because of an earlier points failure at Camden Town, and minor delays on the rest of the line.

Piccadilly line – Earlier severe delays have been downgraded to minor between Uxbridge and Acton Town also due to a signal failure.

Noora Mykkanen

Just Stop Oil said seven protesters entered the airport’s Southern terminal this morning to disrupt flights.

They used suitcases with ‘lock-on’ devices to block the departure gates, Just Stop Oil said.

Passengers were seen trying to push past the blockade near the security check area shortly after 8am.

It is not yet known if flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the incident, but the airport’s departure board did not appear to show any immediate delays or cancellations.

Gatwick Airport was contacted for a comment.