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Train derails after landslide outside Watford as torrential rain causes UK travel chaos Train derails after landslide outside Watford as torrential rain causes UK travel chaos
(35 minutes later)
A landslide caused by torrential rain has caused a train to derail, after half a month’s rain fell in just a few hours and caused travel chaos across the UK. A landslide resulting from torrential rain has caused a train to derail, after half a month’s rain fell in a few hours and caused travel chaos across the UK.
Heatwave temperatures this week during which much of the UK has enjoyed an Indian summer broke spectacularly on Friday morning, with the worst-hit areas the east, south and south-east of England, which all have amber – the second highest alert – warnings in place, according to the Met Office. A heatwave this week for much of the UK ended spectacularly on Friday morning, with the east, south and south-east of England the most affected areas. They all have amber weather warnings in place, the second-highest alert level, according to the Met Office.
Thousands of homes were left without electricity while train services were delayed, motorways closed and buildings flooded. Thousands of homes were left without electricity, while train services were delayed, motorways closed and buildings flooded.
#Thunderstorms are currently moving across SE Britain bringing the risk of flash flooding and traffic disruption pic.twitter.com/LYXDySldDk#Thunderstorms are currently moving across SE Britain bringing the risk of flash flooding and traffic disruption pic.twitter.com/LYXDySldDk
The train, travelling south, derailed after hitting a landslide near Watford Junction at about 7am, while a few moments later a northbound train delivered a “glancing blow” to the derailed train, but there were no reports of injuries, said Network Rail. The southbound train derailed after hitting a landslide near Watford Junction at about 7am. A few moments later, a northbound train delivered a “glancing blow” to the derailed train, but there were no reports of injuries, Network Rail said.
#WatfordJunction At 7am this morning, a train hit a landslip, caused by torrential rain, resulting in a (cont) https://t.co/fBs7e5AO6X#WatfordJunction At 7am this morning, a train hit a landslip, caused by torrential rain, resulting in a (cont) https://t.co/fBs7e5AO6X
British Transport Police said officers were called to reports of a landslide at the Hunton Bridge Tunnel. They were working with fire and ambulance services at the scene. A spokesman for London Midland British Transport police said officers were called to reports of a landslide at the Hunton Bridge Tunnel near Abbots Langley. They were working with fire and ambulance services at the scene. A spokesman for rail operator London Midland said there would be disruption to services in and out of London Euston for at least most of the morning.
said there would be disruption to services in and out of Euston for at least most of the morning. Lines in and out of Euston station were briefly closed, causing delays as trains were cancelled and rerouted.
Lines in and out of London Euston station were briefly closed, causing delays as trains were cancelled and rerouted. Sarah Lowther, a radio reporter who was on the derailed service, said two trains were “kissing each other” in a tunnel. She spoke of a “Dunkirk spirit” on board as passengers helped each another, but said she was worried about the driver, who appeared to be suffering from a bad back after the crash.
Radio reporter Sarah Lowther, who was on the derailed train, said two trains were “kissing each other” in a tunnel. She spoke of a “Dunkirk spirit” on board as passengers helped each another, but said she was worried about the driver, who appeared to be suffering from a bad back after the crash. Speaking to Morning Money radio, she said: “The trees were taken down from the side of the rail line last year. Trees have roots, roots hold the mud ... The mud had nothing to cling on to. It was the first time I’ve actually flown on a train; when we came off the tracks I assumed the brace position. Everyone is looking after each other with water and sugar, but we’re worried about our driver.”
Speaking to Morning Money radio, she said: “The trees were taken down from the side of the rail line last year. Trees have roots, roots hold the mud ... The mud had nothing to cling on to. It was the first time I’ve actually flown on a train; when we came off the tracks I assumed the brace position. Everyone is looking after each other with water and sugar but we’re worried about our driver.” Emergency services were trying to help a pregnant woman get off the train, she added. Lowther boarded the train at 6.47am at Berkhamsted. It was hit by an “oncoming” train at 7.01am.
The emergency services were trying to remove a pregnant woman from the train, she added. Lowther got on the train at 6.47am at Berkhamsted, which was hit by an “oncoming” train at 7.01am. Martin Frobisher, the route managing director for Network Rail, said: “Our priority is to fully reopen the railway as soon as it is safe to do so. A full investigation into what happened will take place.”
Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “Our priority is to fully reopen the railway as soon as it is safe to do so. A full investigation into what happened will take place.”
Due to a derailment this morning, there will be delays and cancellations. Ticket acceptance in place on other train operating companiesDue to a derailment this morning, there will be delays and cancellations. Ticket acceptance in place on other train operating companies
London Midland advised customers to travel only if absolutely necessary.
#WatfordJunction - London Midland are advising customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.#WatfordJunction - London Midland are advising customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Virgin Trains said while replacement bus services had been put in place at Milton Keynes Central and Hemel Hempstead. Virgin Trains said replacement bus services had been organised at Milton Keynes Central and Hemel Hempstead stations.
There were also major delays of almost three hours on the M4 and M40 due to flooding. There were also major delays of almost three hours on the M4 and M40 due to flooding, Highways England said.
Pictures on social media showed severely waterlogged rail stations, including Didcot Parkway, Newbury and Chieveley stations in Oxfordshire. Water could be seen rising up stairwells and partially submerging ticket barriers at Didcot Parkway station. , including Didcot Parkway and Newbury. Water could be seen rising up stairwells and partially submerging ticket barriers at Didcot Parkway.
There were reports that sewage was flooding into Didcot station. The Didcot to Oxford line was closed for two weeks in August for flood prevention work. There were reports that sewage was flooding into the station. The Didcot to Oxford line was closed for two weeks in August for flood prevention work.
Sewage is now flooding #Didcot Station. Only platform 1 open. Will have to be deep cleaned b4 reopening. #signalling problems 2 add 2 woesSewage is now flooding #Didcot Station. Only platform 1 open. Will have to be deep cleaned b4 reopening. #signalling problems 2 add 2 woes
South West Trains said that as a result of the bad weather “several incidents” were disrupting the network. A spokesman said: “A lightning strike has caused substantial damage to certain elements of our signalling equipment on the line which runs between Ascot and Guildford via Aldershot. South West Trains said “several incidents” were disrupting the network as a result of the bad weather. “A lightning strike has caused substantial damage to certain elements of our signalling equipment on the line which runs between Ascot and Guildford via Aldershot,” a spokesman said.
“Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”“Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”
Flooding has also damaged equipment connected to a level crossing between Dorchester and Bournemouth, resulting in them having to be manually controlled, with problems and delays set to continue until about 11am. Flooding has also damaged equipment connected to a level crossing between Dorchester and Bournemouth, resulting in it having to be manually controlled, with problems and delays set to continue until about 11am.
Infrastructure at Woking has also been damaged by the water – with disruption and delays expected until the end of the day. Infrastructure at Woking has also been damaged by water, with disruption and delays expected until the end of the day.
A narrow corridor west of London is expected to be hit by “exceptionally heavy, thundery rain” accompanied by hail on Friday, the Met Office said.A narrow corridor west of London is expected to be hit by “exceptionally heavy, thundery rain” accompanied by hail on Friday, the Met Office said.
Turnpike Lane and Manor House on the Piccadilly line in north London were closed early in the day but reopened at about 6.20am, Transport for London (TfL) said. In north London, Turnpike Lane and Manor House stations on the Piccadilly line were closed early on Friday, but reopened at about 6.20am, Transport for London said.
Met Office meteorologist Martin Combe said 32.8mm of rain had fallen in just three hours in Farnborough, Hampshire – nearly half the 70mm average for September. The Met Office meteorologist Martin Combe said 32.8mm (0.9in) of rain had fallen in three hours in Farnborough, Hampshir, nearly half the 70mm average for the whole of September.
He said: “The showers and thunderstorms are going to carry on for quite some time moving slowly north and eastwards, remaining around London through the morning and all afternoon in East Anglia.” “The showers and thunderstorms are going to carry on for quite some time, moving slowly north and eastwards, remaining around London through the morning and all afternoon in East Anglia,” he said.
The weather front is due to send temperatures tumbling ahead of the weekend, just days after parts of the country baked in 34C (93F) heat. The weather front is due to send temperatures tumbling ahead of the weekend, days after parts of the country baked in 34C (93F) heat.
There were reports of roads and properties being inundated across Surrey, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Greater London as a band of torrential rain moved in from the Channel overnight. There were reports of roads and properties being inundated with showers across Surrey, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Greater London, as a band of torrential rain moved in from the Channel overnight.
Flooding caused delays of almost three hours on the M4 and M40, said Highways England.
#M4 now closed W/B at J8 #Maidenhead with divert over jcn via exit and entry slips to clear flooding under bridge. pic.twitter.com/QDJWzHwKhM#M4 now closed W/B at J8 #Maidenhead with divert over jcn via exit and entry slips to clear flooding under bridge. pic.twitter.com/QDJWzHwKhM
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it had been called to reports of a house struck by lightning near Woking, while crews worked to pump water out of flooded premises across the county. Surrey fire and rescue service said it had been called to reports of a house struck by lightning near Woking, while crews worked to pump water out of flooded premises across the county.
In Oxfordshire Firefighters were called to Cholsey, East Hagbourne, Didcot, South Stoke, Wallingford and Goring as a result of flooding. In Oxfordshire, firefighters were called to Cholsey, East Hagbourne, Didcot, South Stoke, Wallingford and Goring as a result of flooding.
It's been a long night for our Oxfordshire firefighters who have dealt with a spate of flooding related calls since 4am.It's been a long night for our Oxfordshire firefighters who have dealt with a spate of flooding related calls since 4am.
Fire chiefs advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads and turn around as pictures emerged of Maidenhead High Street resembling a swimming pool. Fire chiefs advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads and turn around, as pictures emerged of Maidenhead High Street resembling a swimming pool.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Roads are severely disrupted, including the M4 at the A34 junction with Newbury, the M40 throughout the Thames Valley and in particular the Watlington and Stokenchurch area.” A Thames Valley police spokesman said: “Roads are severely disrupted, including the M4 at the A34 junction with Newbury, the M40 throughout the Thames Valley, and in particular the Watlington and Stokenchurch area.”
There were reports that families were trapped in their houses in one flooded street in Oxfordshire, while fire crews were called to Wallingford Community hospital, where some parts of the buildings had flooded. There were reports that families had been trapped in their houses in one flooded street in Oxfordshire, while fire crews were called to Wallingford Community hospital, where parts of the buildings had flooded.
Away from the storms, Friday will be a relatively cool and fresh day for most of the country with some sunshine. The thundery weather will clear from central areas, and the west can expect dry weather with sunny periods, according to the Met Office. London is expected to see a high of 21C (70F), Cardiff 18C (64F) and Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast 17C (63F). Away from the storms, Friday will be a relatively cool and fresh day for most of the country, with some sunshine. The thundery weather will clear from central areas and the west of England can expect dry weather with sunny periods, according to the Met Office. London is expected to see a high of 21C, Cardiff 18C and Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast 17C.