Thousands of commuters using train services to and from London continue to face delays after overhead electric cables failed in Radlett in Hertfordshire, which led to major changes in services run by three train companies - Southeastern, East Midlands Trains and First Capital Connect (FCC). Passengers on five trains had to be evacuated after 11:00 GMT yesterday, when the cables came down. Trains were unable to run between St Pancras station in London and Luton in Bedfordshire, with passengers being warned to expect disruptions in transport services.

Trains were also unable to run between Kentish Town and Denmark Hill in London with services being diverted via London’s Victoria station. On FCC services, trains from Sutton and Sevenoaks were starting and finishing at Victoria or Blackfriars station in London. A limited FCC service was running between Bedford and Luton, while buses replaced trains between Luton Airport Parkway and Elstree and Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire.

On East Midlands’ services, buses replaced trains between Wellingborough and Northampton to connect with London Midland services between Northampton and Euston station in London. East Midlands’ trains were not running between Luton and St Pancras, while on Southeastern there were no Kentish Town to Denmark Hill trains.

Such train service disruption was seen earlier as well when signal failures occurred between Paddington and Heathrow due to turbulent weather. Network Rail has urged commuters to check with its website for information on train services before they embark upon their journeys today. This morning, two out of the four lines between Bedford and London St Pancras International remain closed. East Midlands Trains journeys between Bedford and London St Pancras International may be delayed by up to one hour. First Capital Connect and Southeastern journeys between Bedford and London St Pancras International may be delayed by up to 15 minutes.

First Capital Connect passengers can use East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect, London Midland, London Underground and Southern services on any reasonable route. Meanwhile, Southeastern passengers can use London Underground services between Victoria and London Blackfriars.