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Train line cable theft attempt causes disruption

Alice Cunningham & Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
PA Media A view of a Greater Anglia train. Passengers can be seen inside the train through large windows. The train operators name has been printed on the side of the carriage.PA Media
Greater Anglia warned passengers not to travel after an attempt was made to steal signalling cables

There was major disruption on a train line after a cable was cut in a failed attempt at theft.

On Thursday, there were no trains between London Liverpool Street and Broxbourne, in Hertfordshire, following the incident near Clapton railway station in Hackney.

British Transport Police (BTP) launched an investigation before lines were reopened at about 12:20 GMT when Network Rail had repaired the issue.

A Great Anglia spokesperson previously told passengers to "not travel" between areas including Stansted Airport, Cambridge and Hertford East and London Liverpool Street.

Kate Snowden, head of communications at Network Rail, said: "About 01:00 GMT our teams detected a loss of signalling which is what the cabling actually helps our teams do. So we realised that we weren't able to run any trains."

After this, she said the team had discovered some areas where the cabling had been cut.

"In this particular incident, they had not managed to steal it which was really positive, that we have made it more difficult [to steal]" Ms Snowden said.

She speculated the would-be thieves were "scared off", or "realised it was more difficult to take".

A BTP spokesperson said: "Officers were called to the line near Clapton railway station at about 1.20GMT today (20 February) following reports of cable theft.

They encouraged anyone with information to contact them and added that "inquiries are ongoing".

Affected routes

Routes previously affected by the issue included:

  • Stansted Express services between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport
  • London Liverpool Street to and from Cambridge North
  • London Liverpool Street to and from Hertford East
  • Stratford to and from Bishop's Stortford
  • Stratford to and from Meridian Water

Passengers were told not to travel until further notice and Great Anglia has lifted ticket restrictions including for Friday travel.

Greater Anglia tickets can be used on the following services:

  • Great Northern between Hertford North and Moorgate
  • Great Northern between Ely and London Kings Cross
  • Thameslink between Cambridge and St Pancras International
  • London Underground

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