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Commuters in St Albans 'kick at gates' in Thameslink delays | Commuters in St Albans 'kick at gates' in Thameslink delays |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Angry commuters have been "kicking at gates" at a station after signalling problems caused delays to an already troubled line. | Angry commuters have been "kicking at gates" at a station after signalling problems caused delays to an already troubled line. |
Disruption on East Midlands and Thameslink trains during rush-hour was due to a six-mile signalling failure at Luton. | |
The delays in and out of London come after four weeks of disruption caused by a new timetable. | The delays in and out of London come after four weeks of disruption caused by a new timetable. |
Network Rail has apologised and said no trains could run south of Bedford. | Network Rail has apologised and said no trains could run south of Bedford. |
Extra patrols were also brought in by British Transport Police (BTP) for "passenger reassurance", they said. | Extra patrols were also brought in by British Transport Police (BTP) for "passenger reassurance", they said. |
At St Albans City station, witnesses reported an "absolute fiasco", with "platforms crammed", "barriers closed" and "angry passengers kicking down gates". | At St Albans City station, witnesses reported an "absolute fiasco", with "platforms crammed", "barriers closed" and "angry passengers kicking down gates". |
Dr Peter Saunders said that a gate on platform four had been damaged by "people forcing themselves through". | Dr Peter Saunders said that a gate on platform four had been damaged by "people forcing themselves through". |
"All gates [were] then locked and people diverted to [the] platform one entrance," he said. | "All gates [were] then locked and people diverted to [the] platform one entrance," he said. |
"One guy tried to climb over then started kicking [the] gate as [a] staff member yelled at him." | "One guy tried to climb over then started kicking [the] gate as [a] staff member yelled at him." |
Another commuter, Natalie, said: "Absolute chaos at St Albans and no communication. | Another commuter, Natalie, said: "Absolute chaos at St Albans and no communication. |
"[Thameslink Rail] how do you continuously get away with it? Absolute shambles of an organisation." | "[Thameslink Rail] how do you continuously get away with it? Absolute shambles of an organisation." |
Thameslink said that "for passenger safety we closed the gates for short periods to manage the numbers of people on the platform" and "passenger announcements explained this". | Thameslink said that "for passenger safety we closed the gates for short periods to manage the numbers of people on the platform" and "passenger announcements explained this". |
It has also denied its staff were "abusive" or "yelling", and said they gave passengers information as soon as it was available. | It has also denied its staff were "abusive" or "yelling", and said they gave passengers information as soon as it was available. |
"Network Rail have now fixed the signalling fault," a spokesman said. | "Network Rail have now fixed the signalling fault," a spokesman said. |
Commuters at Harpenden station witnessed a train arrive and pull up, but without the doors opening. | Commuters at Harpenden station witnessed a train arrive and pull up, but without the doors opening. |
Emily Ketchin said there could have been a "very serious accident as people stepped towards the train" and Charlotte Haklett said "the staff have no idea what's going on. Packed platform, utterly dangerous". | Emily Ketchin said there could have been a "very serious accident as people stepped towards the train" and Charlotte Haklett said "the staff have no idea what's going on. Packed platform, utterly dangerous". |
Emily Perry, who was travelling from Bedford into London, said: "It is utterly ridiculous with all the train delays that Thameslink are satisfied with cramming more people in and putting their safety at risk that we are paying the privilege for! | Emily Perry, who was travelling from Bedford into London, said: "It is utterly ridiculous with all the train delays that Thameslink are satisfied with cramming more people in and putting their safety at risk that we are paying the privilege for! |
"This has to stop and common sense has to be given." | "This has to stop and common sense has to be given." |
Vicky Chadwick, a commuter from Bedford, described the current situation as "absolutely disgraceful". | Vicky Chadwick, a commuter from Bedford, described the current situation as "absolutely disgraceful". |
"This situation is impacting lives. Our time with our families is being impacted and I'm seriously considering whether I can continue working in London," she said. | "This situation is impacting lives. Our time with our families is being impacted and I'm seriously considering whether I can continue working in London," she said. |
Commuter Neal Cannell said: "If it wasn't for the systemic daily disruption caused by the new timetable I could cope with unplanned issues such as those today. | Commuter Neal Cannell said: "If it wasn't for the systemic daily disruption caused by the new timetable I could cope with unplanned issues such as those today. |
"But when the service is already a shambles every day, additional delays are adding insult to injury." | "But when the service is already a shambles every day, additional delays are adding insult to injury." |
A British Transport Police spokesman said: "There have been extra patrols in place to give passengers reassurance. We have not attended any incidents." | A British Transport Police spokesman said: "There have been extra patrols in place to give passengers reassurance. We have not attended any incidents." |