Waterloo station disruption: Commuters warned travel chaos will hit Friday rush hour
Travel chaos at Waterloo this morning is set to drag on into this evening’s rush hour, causing more misery for commuters, National Rail has now warned.
Tens of thousands of London workers were hit by travel disruption coming into Waterloo train station this morning after overrunning engineering works forced rail operators to halt all lines.
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National Rail had initially advised that the disruption was set to finish at 12pm, but has now issued a fresh warning telling commuters to expect further chaos in and out of Waterloo until 6pm.
“Trains are now able to run to and from London Waterloo. However during the closure, trains were unable to leave a number of depots and enter services,” the body said.
“As a result of this, journey times may be extended by up to 40 minutes. Some trains will also be cancelled or revised at short notice.
“We anticipate a normal service will resume from 6pm.”
South Western Railway advised customers of the further delay on Twitter, writing:
⚠️ *UPDATE 22/03* Following earlier engineering works not being finished on time at London Waterloo all lines have now reopened. Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:00 22/03.
— SWR Help (@SW_Help) March 22, 2019
Commuters reacted with fury to the update, with Mark Kanes tweeting South Western Railway to say: “Please tell me how with the line re-opened at 6.30am, (90 mins after service opens), it takes 12 HOURS for disruption to end….”
“Did anyone believe the initial time estimate?” Kate Gowers added. “I'm calling it now; disruption will be until the end of service.”
David Sharman said: “I cannot decide who is more incompetent… NR or SWR.”
Earlier National Rail warned that the overrunning engineering works between Dorking and Epsom had resulted in “all lines being blocked”.
Tony Malfoy tweeted to South Western Railway: “Another disastrous morning because of you and @networkrail and who suffers yet again?? oh yes that right it's the passengers. No fast trains to Waterloo from Woking. Thanks for making me late to work.”
Jack O’Neill said he was still experiencing issues despite Network Rail saying trains were once again running.
“When will any train be doing the Waterloo – Reading route? Hugely busy line and nothing. Platforms of people angry and no information but ‘delayed’,” he said.
A National Rail spokesperson said: “We apologise to passengers for the disruption to services across the south western network this morning owing to a possession overrun. Disruption, including severe delays and cancellations, will last until the afternoon. Passengers should check with their train operator or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.”
Commuter Jenny Fletcher added: “Congestion at Waterloo is a pathetic excuse for these constantly late trains. You have 4 new platforms now. Use them. And before you mention it, getting £1.03 back for Delay Repay doesn’t help either.”
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National Rail told customers that their tickets would be valid on local bus services, the Tube, Great Western Railway services between Basingstoke and London and Reading and London, as well as Southern services by any other reasonable route.