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South East train cancellations apology issued by Network Rail

BBC Passengers waiting at Brighton StationBBC
Passengers in Brighton faced major disruption

Network Rail said services across Sussex and Surrey are getting back to normal after severe disruptions due to a major signalling fault.

A power failure caused delays and cancellations to Southern and Thameslink services throughout Monday.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail's route director for Sussex, said services were returning to normal.

She said: "I'd like to apologise to customers for the delay to their journeys this morning."

She said the issues had been resolved and it was introducing more services to run a full evening peak.

"I'd also like to remind customers to check before they travel… as we are experiencing some residual delays from this morning," she added.

At the peak of the disruption:

  • No Gatwick Express trains were running
  • Services between Brighton and Chichester were reduced to one train an hour
  • Thameslink services between Cambridge and Brighton were halted
  • There were delays and cancellations between Brighton, Portsmouth and Chichester

Network Rail said a loss of power across the UK Power Network "significantly impacted our Three Bridges Signalling Centre which controls the signalling across the majority of our Sussex route."

Eddie Mitchell Passengers waiting at Brighton StationEddie Mitchell
Passengers were advised to allow at least an extra hour for their journeys

It said a points failure at Haywards Heath, which had put two of the station's platforms out of use, had been repaired.

A separate points failure at Preston Park near Brighton also impacted services.

Network Rail Network Rail engineers repairing a points failure at Haywards HeathNetwork Rail
Network Rail engineers have been repairing points failures at Haywards Heath and Preston Park

Earlier, commuter Matt Daymond had returned to Brighton station for a second attempt to get into work, after initially being told there were no trains at all.

"I need to get into the office, I've got some important meetings to go to," he said.

"I work somewhere they expect you to be in so you end up having to go in late and then stay in late, because they expect you to put the hours in."

Matt Daymond at Brighton station
Matt Daymond had to make two trips to the station in his attempt to get to work

Ben Jackson and Arabella Saucell were trying to travel home from Brighton to Manchester.

"We woke up this morning and realised there were a few delays," said Mr Jackson.

"I've got the half-day off work so I might have to let them know that I can't make it in."

Ms Saucell said: "We're kind of used to it by now. It's always like this. When I went back for Christmas it was the same."

Ben Jackson and Arabella Saucell at Brighton station
Ben Jackson and Arabella Saucell said they have become used to delays on their regular journeys between Brighton and Manchester

Fiona Burton, who was trying to get from Brighton to London Bridge, accepted she would be late for work, but said she had an understanding employer.

She said: "I'll probably be about half an hour late, but they're pretty flexible.

"I'm not that bothered. I'd rather be here than in the office!"

Fiona Burton at Brighton station
Fiona Burton's morning commute was affected by the cancellations
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