Trains have been cancelled or badly delayed on the East Coast Main Line this evening (Friday).
Damaged to the overhead wires between Stevenage and Hitchin means all lines are blocked.
Some services travelling south are being abandoned mid-journey.
The problem was first reported on social media at about 7.25pm.
The southbound line is expected to stay closed for the rest of the day, meaning no trains running from York to London.
LNER said: “With that in mind, we strongly advising against travel this evening and would ask that if you are midway through your journey and can return to your origin station, we recommend doing so.
“We are working to source alternative travel, but this is extremely limited and it not be possible to complete your journey today.”
Anyone who hasn’t started their journey is advised not to travel.
Trains going north are being hugely delayed. YorkMix was told by one York resident returning home after a trip to London that they weren’t moving and would be at least two hours late.
An update on the National Rail website says: “Teams are working with Network Rail to assess and deal with this as quickly as possible, but this will take a considerable amount of time.”`
Here’s the customer advice from each train operator.
LNER
Customers who have not yet started their journey this evening may use their tickets to travel tomorrow, Saturday 10 August at no extra cost.
You can use your ticket on the following services at no extra cost:
- Avanti West Coast between London Euston and Manchester
- TransPennine Express between Manchester, Leeds and York / Newcastle
- East Midlands Railway between London St Pancras International and Sheffield
- Northern via any reasonable route, including services from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds
Grand Central
You can use your ticket dated today (Friday 9 August) for travel tomorrow (Saturday 10 August) at no extra cost.
To help you complete your journey, you can use your Grand Central ticket at no extra cost on East Midlands Railway services between London St Pancras International and Sheffield.
Hull Trains
To help you complete your journey, you can use your ticket on East Midlands Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express and CrossCountry services via any reasonable route.