Southern rail delays: All lines into London blocked after strong winds bring trees down onto the tracks

Ella Wills18 January 2018

Southern Rail commuters are facing rush hour delays after fierce winds brought down trees and blocked all lines.

Strong winds that hit London and the south east overnight are affecting Southern and Thameslink services after various trees blocked the railway.

Trains across the whole network may be cancelled, delayed or revised throughout Thursday morning, with disruption expected until at least 12 noon.

Two trees blocked the line between Oxted and Uckfield in separate incidents, while another tree blocked the line between Oxted and East Grinstead at Lingfield.

Southern tickets are being accepted on London buses between Uckfield and Lewes / Tunbridge Wells, on Southeastern services between Tunbridge Wells and London, and on Southern services via Haywards Heath.

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Earlier on Thursday there was another fallen tree between Sevenoaks and Otford in the Bat and Ball area that disrupted services.

This affected Thameslink services, which have now resumed, but passengers could face delays up to 15 minutes, Thameslink tweeted.

And elsewhere a tree was reported on the line between Southampton and Havant, and a large branch blocked the line between Horsham and Dorking.

Some lines have been reopened, but passengers are advised to check their journeys before travelling.

It came amid widespread travel disruption after severe weather conditions overnight.

People travelling on Southeastern services also faced delays after a number of weather related incidents, including a train hitting a tree near Lower Sydenham and a train reported striking a fence near Sheerness-on-Sea.

Lines were reopened at around 9am, Southeastern tweeted.

And there was disruption to trains between London Liverpool Street and Stratford due to "a plastic sheet" being caught in the overhead wires, according to TfL Rail.

Network Rail reported obstructions on the lines at several locations including Deal, Bat and Ball, New Beckenham and Lower Sydenham, Elephant & Castle and Sheerness.

There were 42 cancelled or severely late services on Thursday due to the stormy weather, it added. All lines are now running after the disruption.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Owing to stormy weather services have been disrupted this morning as trees and debris fell onto the line in several locations. All lines are now open and service is improving as the morning progresses.”

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