Thameslink and East Midlands train delays – can I get to Luton, which routes are disrupted and how do I get delay repay?

MAJOR disruption affecting trains on East Midlands and Thameslink services services will continue throughout today.

Trains have been left unable to run after overhead wires were damaged at Luton yesterday afternoon, causing huge travel problems.

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Some services are facing cancellations and delays of up to 90 mintues between St Pancras and Bedford, Brighton, Sevenoaks and Sutton.

East Midlands services are also affected, with trains unable to run from the central London station towards Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.

Customers have been advised to use alternative routes, as those services that are still running will be extremely busy.

What caused the problem and when will it be fixed?

On Tuesday afternoon, damage was caused to overhead lines between Luton and London St Pancras International.

Although Network Rail was able to fix the wires, a signalling problem then occurred as a result of the damage.

Disruption is expected to continue until the end of service today, but passengers are warned problems may well continue into tomorrow.

How will this affect my journey?

If you are travelling on East Midlands Trains services between Sheffield / Nottingham and London St Pancras International, a near normal timetable is able to run today.

However, delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected to your journey. The 4.46pm Derby to London St Pancras has been cancelled

For an up-to-date timetable of trains running  into London, please click .

For an up-to-date timetable of trains running  from London, please click .

There will be no direct trains between London St Pancras International and Corby.

Trains or buses will run between Corby and Kettering and then you will need to change at Kettering for trains to London St Pancras International.

The 9.26am Corby to Derby train is cancelled.

Are any other services affected?

Yes,  Thameslink trains between Bedford and London St Pancras International are also hit.

A limited train service is running across the Thameslink network, with services being cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 90 minutes.

There will be alterations to the following routes:

Four trains an hour will run between Bedford and London St Pancras International, in both directions, departing on the hour and then every 15 minutes from Bedford.

Some of these services will have limited stops to provide a faster service.

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No trains will run between London St Pancras International and City Thameslink.

Trains will operate between City Thameslink / Blackfriars and Brighton only, running every half hour

The Thameslink London Blackfriars - Sutton via Wimbledon is running a reduced service.

Passengers may use South West Trains between London Waterloo and Wimbledon.
London Trams are also accepting tickets, however their services are partly suspended due to a derailment near East Croydon

If you are travelling to stations between London and Sevenoaks, trains will divert to start / terminate at London Victoria, and will run at a reduced frequency

How can I complete my journey today?

With a bit of luck yes. If possible, customers should travel on Great Northern services.

Replacement buses are operating as below to link to these routes. These buses are operating as a shuttle and so are not timetabled.

Please see your local station staff for the latest information.

Passengers can use the underground or bus services between London St Pancras and City Thameslink / London Blackfriars.

Gatwick Express services are also running between London and Brighton

You may also use your Thameslink ticket on services provided by the following operators:

East Midlands Trains between London St Pancras and Bedford and some trains will make additional stops at Luton Airport Parkway however all services leaving London will be exceptionally busy.

London Overground, Underground, and busses on any reasonable routes to and from London.

London Midland between St Albans Abbey and London Euston via Watford Junction.

Southern between Brighton and London and on any reasonable route across South London.

Southeastern between Sevenoaks and London Victoria.

London Trams between Wimbledon and East Croydon (please note, tram services are part suspended due to a derailed tram near East Croydon).

South West Trains between Wimbledon and London Waterloo

Any other options?

The following local bus services are also accepting Thameslink tickets

• on routes 300, 301 and 724 between St Albans and Hatfield to connect with Great Northern services to London Kings Cross.
• buses on route 757 between London Victoria and Luton.
• buses on routes 84, 84A between St Albans and Potters Bar to connect with Great Northern services to London Kings Cross.
• bus route 714 between St Albans / Luton and New Barnet to connect with Great Northern services to London Kings Cross.
• bus 602 between St Albans / Radlett and Hatfield and also route 653 St Albans to Hatfield to connect with Great Northern services to London Kings Cross.
• bus 602 between St Albans / Radlett and Watford High Street to connect with London Overground services to London Euston.
• bus 615 between Elstree & Borehamwood and Stanmore to connect with the Jubilee Line.
• bus 655 between St Albans / Radlett and Elstree & Borehamwood.

Will I be entitled to compensation?

You may be entitled to compo if you experience a delay in completing your travel today.

The train operators advice you keep your ticket and make a note of your journey as both will be required to support any claim.

To make a claim click on:

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