close
close

Major rush hour delays in London as services are suspended across the network | UK news

Heathrow Express train on a platform.

Heathrow Express trains are suspended (Image: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)

There was significant disruption to the London Underground, Overground and connections to Heathrow Airport.

All trains between Heathrow and central London have been cancelled for “tunnel safety reasons”, National Rail warned.

Holidaymakers using the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express are experiencing significant disruption to and from the airport.

National Rail said: “The Heathrow Tunnel is closed for safety reasons, meaning no trains can run to or from Heathrow Airport.”

“The result is that trains are cancelled or diverted.”

Elizabeth Line train on a platform in London.

Due to the tunnel problem, Elizabeth Line trains cannot reach Heathrow Airport (Image: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

Elizabeth Line trains between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Airport Terminals 4 and 5 are unable to operate.

The Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5 has also been suspended.

Significant disruptions are expected until at least 10 a.m., and trains will be cancelled or their operations will be changed, it said.

According to National Rail, the safety issue was caused by a “problem with the ventilation system in Heathrow’s tunnels” and trains are therefore unable to run until “Network Rail has resolved this issue.”

The Piccadilly line of the London Underground continues to operate to and from the airport.

Trains between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon are also experiencing delays of up to 15 minutes today.


Latest news from London

For the latest news from the capital, visit Metro.co.uk’s London News Centre.

The reason for this was “a series of incidents”, including a train breakdown that had previously blocked the northbound routes, National Rail said.

Disruptions on the London Underground and Overground

Underground passengers were warned of significant delays this morning.

Part of the Central Line is closed; there is no service between Leytonstone in east London and Liverpool Street station due to a signalling failure in Stratford.

There will be “significant delays” on the rest of the line, Transport for London said.

A section of the District Line is also partially closed, with no service between Turnham Green and Richmond while Network Rail engineers repair a track fault at Gunnersbury in southwest London.

The track damage also affects the operation of the London Overground.

There is currently no connection between Richmond and Gunnersbury.

According to TfL’s latest status update, services between South Tottenham and Barking Riverside are suspended due to a signal failure at Walthamstow Queen’s Road.

TfL also warned of “significant delays” on the Northern Line caused by a fire alarm at Clapham Common.

Are you affected? Please email [email protected].


Major disruptions to rail services at Heathrow Airport

Here you can find all affected routes and how to get to the airport if you are affected.

Elizabeth Line

Traffic between Heathrow Airport and Hayes and Harlington has been suspended.

Customers can use their tickets on the Piccadilly Line of the London Underground at no additional cost.

Heathrow Express

The service between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5 has been suspended.

Passengers can use the following services instead:

  • London Underground connections on the Piccadilly Line to and from Heathrow Airport
  • London bus routes:
    • SL9 and X140 between Heathrow Central Bus Station and Hayes & Harlington
    • 105 between Heathrow and Southall

This is a developing news story, more to come… Check back soon for further updates.

Got a story? Contact our news team by emailing [email protected]. Or you can submit your videos and pictures directly here.

You can find more stories like this in our News page.

Follow Metro.co.uk on Þjórsárden and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles from Metro.co.uk sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push notifications here.

MORE: Overcast and wet weather on the way as thousands queue for Wimbledon

MORE: Every driver in the UK just received a four-word warning

MORE: Restaurant review of The Counter Soho: “Legendary Mediterranean dishes in a chic ambience”