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London Victoria travel chaos due to signal problems London Victoria travel chaos due to signal problems
(about 2 hours later)
Passengers have been advised to avoid London Victoria railway station after a signal failure caused major disruption across London.Passengers have been advised to avoid London Victoria railway station after a signal failure caused major disruption across London.
Gatwick Express services are suspended while Southern and Thameslink trains are badly affected, National Rail said.Gatwick Express services are suspended while Southern and Thameslink trains are badly affected, National Rail said.
There was a total loss of signalling power in the Streatham Common area, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said.There was a total loss of signalling power in the Streatham Common area, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said.
Disruption began on Wednesday night and is expected to continue into Thursday evening, National Rail added. Disruption began on Wednesday night and is expected to continue into Friday morning, National Rail added.
Victoria is the second busiest station in Great Britain with 75.8 million passenger entries and exits, according to Network Rail figures in 2016-17.Victoria is the second busiest station in Great Britain with 75.8 million passenger entries and exits, according to Network Rail figures in 2016-17.
Both Southern and Thameslink have advised passengers not to travel to the capital.Both Southern and Thameslink have advised passengers not to travel to the capital.
Southeastern trains said their services to and from Victoria are running normally.
A spokesman from GTR, which operates Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, said: "In the meantime passengers are urged not to travel from the south on our remaining services, which will be heavily overcrowded."A spokesman from GTR, which operates Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, said: "In the meantime passengers are urged not to travel from the south on our remaining services, which will be heavily overcrowded."
Gatwick Airport said flight passengers should leave extra time for their journeys.Gatwick Airport said flight passengers should leave extra time for their journeys.
Kevin Liffey, 54, will miss his sister's funeral in Jersey because he could not get to Gatwick Airport from his home in East Finchley in time for his flight.Kevin Liffey, 54, will miss his sister's funeral in Jersey because he could not get to Gatwick Airport from his home in East Finchley in time for his flight.
That was despite spending £90 on a taxi after being told he would not be able to catch the Gatwick Express from Victoria.That was despite spending £90 on a taxi after being told he would not be able to catch the Gatwick Express from Victoria.
He said: "It just shows we cannot rely on public transport at the most basic level. It's just not really acceptable in a country that's as developed as it is."He said: "It just shows we cannot rely on public transport at the most basic level. It's just not really acceptable in a country that's as developed as it is."
National Rail first issued a warning about a fault with the signalling system at about 23:30 BST on Wednesday.National Rail first issued a warning about a fault with the signalling system at about 23:30 BST on Wednesday.
Traveller Sophie Cook was forced to stay overnight with a friend in Croydon as cancellations meant she could not make it home to Lancing, West Sussex.Traveller Sophie Cook was forced to stay overnight with a friend in Croydon as cancellations meant she could not make it home to Lancing, West Sussex.
She said train staff offered "no info" and that when she continued her journey on Thursday the trains were "dangerously overcrowded".She said train staff offered "no info" and that when she continued her journey on Thursday the trains were "dangerously overcrowded".
Engineers had not fixed the problem by Thursday morning so all trains were blocked through Streatham Common station causing disruption, cancellations and delays until the end of the day's services.Engineers had not fixed the problem by Thursday morning so all trains were blocked through Streatham Common station causing disruption, cancellations and delays until the end of the day's services.
Trains were packed as commuters with tickets to Victoria were allowed on board other services.Trains were packed as commuters with tickets to Victoria were allowed on board other services.
Elaine Hindal said her train from Harpenden to London Bridge was a "nightmare" while Jessica Edwards said stations were "mobbed".Elaine Hindal said her train from Harpenden to London Bridge was a "nightmare" while Jessica Edwards said stations were "mobbed".
Ms Edwards, 34, said she paid hundreds of pounds extra a year to travel on the Gatwick Express from Hassocks to Victoria.Ms Edwards, 34, said she paid hundreds of pounds extra a year to travel on the Gatwick Express from Hassocks to Victoria.
She said Thursday's problems meant she was an hour late to work, adding: "I have had to get off at London Bridge and get a bus to Hackney. It's taking ages."She said Thursday's problems meant she was an hour late to work, adding: "I have had to get off at London Bridge and get a bus to Hackney. It's taking ages."
Michael Scriven said he tried unsuccessfully to board eight trains to London Bridge at East Croydon station and was "the most sardined I've ever been" when he eventually managed to get on one.Michael Scriven said he tried unsuccessfully to board eight trains to London Bridge at East Croydon station and was "the most sardined I've ever been" when he eventually managed to get on one.
The 23-year-old IT analyst said the platform became an "absolute mess" after passengers were forced to disembark from trains travelling to Victoria.The 23-year-old IT analyst said the platform became an "absolute mess" after passengers were forced to disembark from trains travelling to Victoria.
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Adam Parker, 32, said he was "close to breaking point" after the three-hour journey from Hove.Adam Parker, 32, said he was "close to breaking point" after the three-hour journey from Hove.
The Nickelodeon producer said: "There are only so many times you can tell your boss you're late again because of the trains, only so many times you can miss a meal at home."The Nickelodeon producer said: "There are only so many times you can tell your boss you're late again because of the trains, only so many times you can miss a meal at home."
A National Rail spokesman said engineers had worked overnight "doing all they can to fix the problem". A Network Rail spokesman said engineers had worked overnight "doing all they can to fix the problem".
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the fault and passengers are being advised not to travel with Thameslink, Southern or Gatwick Express from the south into London this morning." "We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the fault and passengers are being advised not to travel with Thameslink, Southern or Gatwick Express from the south into London," he said.
The issues have also affected Thameslink services between Luton and Wimbledon, which have been suspended until the end of the day.The issues have also affected Thameslink services between Luton and Wimbledon, which have been suspended until the end of the day.
The disruptions come as GTR is set to launch a special compensation scheme for people severely affected by a chaotic timetable change in May.The disruptions come as GTR is set to launch a special compensation scheme for people severely affected by a chaotic timetable change in May.
Alternative travelAlternative travel
Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express tickets are valid for travel on the following services, via any reasonable route, including:Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express tickets are valid for travel on the following services, via any reasonable route, including:
Source: National RailSource: National Rail
Have you been affected by the disruption to train services today? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the disruption to train services today? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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