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London to Brighton rail passengers suffer further travel misery London to Brighton rail passengers suffer further travel misery
(35 minutes later)
Rush-hour passengers on a trouble-hit commuter route in the south of England have faced more travel misery, with delays and cancellations because of a broken rail. Rush-hour passengers on a trouble-hit commuter route in the south of England have faced more disruption, with delays and cancellations because of a broken rail.
Three days ago, the Southern train company introduced a new timetable in an effort to improve services, particularly between London and Brighton. Three days ago, the Southern train company introduced a new timetable in an effort to improve services, particularly between London and Brighton. But on Wednesday, a problem at Haywards Heath in West Sussex led to hold-ups of up to an hour, between London and the Sussex coast. A number of trains were cancelled, with passengers packing into the trains that were still running. Many people had to stand and Southern apologised for the overcrowding.
But on Wednesday, a problem at Haywards Heath in West Sussex led to hold-ups of up to one hour between London and the Sussex coast. A number of trains were cancelled, with passengers packing into the trains that were still running. Many people had to stand and Southern apologised for the overcrowding.
Among the axed services was the 7.29am Brighton to London Victoria, which failed to arrive on time throughout the whole of last year.Among the axed services was the 7.29am Brighton to London Victoria, which failed to arrive on time throughout the whole of last year.
Disgruntled travellers expressed their anger on Twitter. Leila Mekacher wrote: “Southern Rail bunch of jokers! Will there ever be a day without issues?” Lewis Cook tweeted: “Southern trains are just useless,” while Steve Slack wrote: “Southern Trains. New timetable, same old **** service.” Disgruntled travellers expressed their anger on Twitter. Leila Mekacher wrote: “Southern Rail bunch of jokers! Will there ever be a day without issues?”
Some trains terminated at Gatwick, Three Bridges and Haywards Heath, while it was hoped that buses could be laid on to replace trains. Lewis Cook tweeted: “Southern trains are just useless,” while Steve Slack wrote: “Southern Trains. New timetable, same old **** service.”
Some trains terminated at Gatwick, Three Bridges and Haywards Heath, while it was hoped buses could be laid on to replace trains.
Some of those caught up in Wednesday’s disruption were unlucky enough to also be travelling from Sussex to London at the end of last month when power supply problems near Clapham Junction station in south London led to chaos.Some of those caught up in Wednesday’s disruption were unlucky enough to also be travelling from Sussex to London at the end of last month when power supply problems near Clapham Junction station in south London led to chaos.
One train, the 6.55am from Brighton, which should have reached Victoria at 8.15am, was stationary for hours and was eventually towed into Streatham in south London just before 1pm.One train, the 6.55am from Brighton, which should have reached Victoria at 8.15am, was stationary for hours and was eventually towed into Streatham in south London just before 1pm.
Network Rail said: “We apologise to passengers whose journeys have been delayed this morning as a result of a track circuit defect just outside the Haywards Heath area. Network Rail said: “We apologise to passengers whose journeys have been delayed this morning as a result of a track circuit defect just outside the Haywards Heath area. Trains are being cautioned through the affected area at 20mph and our engineers will be on site to rectify the problem once the morning peak is over.”
Trains are being cautioned through the affected area at 20mph and our engineers will be on site to rectify the problem once the morning peak is over.”