A “nationwide fault” disrupting train services due to a problem with a communication system has been fixed after wreaking havoc for commuters on Friday, National Rail has said.
Dozens of services have been affected. Particular problems are affecting London Waterloo, one of the three busiest stations in the UK. Trains to and from Salisbury and Yeovil have been cancelled as a result of communications problems. Many other trains are running 10 to 20 minutes late.
Delays are reported on Southeastern trains. At Heathrow airport, one member of staff talked of disruption at London Paddington on the express train, with cancellations blamed on “a problem with the on-board safety systems”.
A spokesperson for Network Rail told The Independent: “We have discovered a fault with the railway’s radio communication system that is preventing it from automatically ‘logging on’.
“The back-up manual log-in system is being used instead causing a few minutes of delay at the start of the day. Once up and running the system is working normally and the impact for passengers is minimal.”
Have you been affected by the train delays? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk
Key Points
- Network Rail communications issue fixed
- Train delays expected until midday
- Disruption due to fault with a radio system
- Trains to Heathrow Airport facing delays
How much compensation am I entitled to?
14:11 , Holly EvansThis depends on how long you were delayed, how much you paid for your ticket, and the type of ticket.
Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, passengers who arrive at least an hour later than scheduled are entitled to a minimum of half the price paid for a single ticket, or a quarter of the price paid for a return ticket.
But many operators go beyond this, with many using the Delay Repay scheme.
DR15 makes payouts after delays of 15 minutes, while DR30 only offers compensation for delays of half an hour.
What compensation can I claim for train disruption?
13:21 , Holly Evans
Network Rail communications issue fixed
12:21 , Holly EvansA fault with a radio system which disrupted train services this morning has now been fixed, Network Rail has said.
In a post on social media, they said: “An overnight fault with our railway radio system in England and Wales has been traced to one of our major hubs near Stoke, which has now been fixed. The system is now working normally.
“We’re sorry if your journey has been affected today as a result of this issue.”
Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel correspondent, is now at London Paddington
11:57 , Holly EvansDelays and cancellations are the order of the day at London Paddington station – which is the second busiest in the country after London Liverpool Street.
Intercity trains from the west of England and South Wales have been arriving late – with one, from Carmarthen via Swansea and Cardiff, currently almost three hours behind schedule. It is not known if this is connected with the Network Rail communications fault.
Other long-distance trains are generally arriving 10 or 20 minutes behind schedule, though Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express trains are now running more or less to timetable.
Southeastern services cleared of radio system issue
11:46 , Holly EvansNational Rail have said that Southeastern services have been cleared of the issue, as the fault with the radio system between train drivers and signallers no longer affecting their lines.
✅CLEARED - The fault with the radio system between train drivers and signallers is no longer affecting Southeastern services.#SEDisruption
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) December 6, 2024
Passengers stranded at Victoria Station as radio system fails
11:22 , Holly EvansWhat was the exact problem?
10:43 , Simon CalderNetwork Rail has a special communication system used between train drivers and signallers, known as GSM-R. This railway-specific system is designed to allow digital communication at all times, including while trains are in areas such as tunnels and deep cuttings where previous analogue systems did not work.
A spokesperson for Network Rail told The Independent: “We have discovered a fault with the railway’s radio communication system that is preventing it from automatically ‘logging on’. The back-up manual log-in system is being used instead, causing a few minutes of delay at the start of the day. Once up and running the system is working normally and the impact for passengers is minimal.”
When did problems begin?
10:21 , Simon CalderAs early as 5am. The first train of the day from Salisbury to London Waterloo was cancelled “due to a problem with train communications”, and that line – which connects Exeter with the capital – has seen a series of cancellations.
Of all the big commuter stations in London, Waterloo has been hardest hit.
Normally 200,000 passengers per day would use it, but many of them had problems getting to work.
What’s causing the nationwide rail disruption?
10:06 , Holly EvansTrains across the UK are facing major delays this morning as a widespread disruption brings several lines to a halt.
National Rail has said the issue use due to a “nationwide fault” with the radio system used between train drivers and signal operators.
Passengers are advised that many journeys will be forced to begin later than planned for the duration of the day.
Read the full explainer from Albert Toth here:
Train delays: What’s causing the nationwide rail disruption?
Network Rail say the impact for passengers will be ‘minimal’
09:55 , Simon CalderNetwork Rail has now issued a statement, which talks of a “minimal” impact for passengers.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We have discovered a fault with the railway’s radio communication system that is preventing it from automatically ‘logging on’.
“The back-up manual log-in system is being used instead causing a few minutes of delay at the start of the day. Once up and running the system is working normally and the impact for passengers is minimal.”
Nationwide train delays due to communication system failure
09:51 , Holly EvansEast Midlands Railway say it’s not facing ‘significant disruption’
09:35 , Holly EvansEast Midlands Railway says it’s not among the train providers experiencing issues this morning.
In a post on X, it says it’s not facing any “significant disruption” to its services.
It did report there were some delays to its trains.
Train delays expected until midday
09:05 , Holly EvansTrain delays are expected to last until midday after radio communications disrupted services across the country.
National Rail has said the following alterations have been made:
- Brighton to Southampton Central will only be running to either Bognor Regis or Chichester
- London Victoria to Ore will terminate and restart at Hastings
- London Victoria to Brighton (Gatwick Express) will terminate and restart at Gatwick Airport
- Kings Lynn to London Kings Cross will only run between Kings Lynn and Cambridge
National Rail state that tickets will be accepted for no extra cost on Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services via any reasonable route, and on the London Underground on any reasonable route between London terminals.
South Western Railway cancels some services
08:51 , Holly EvansSouth Western Railway is among the operators to cancel some services.
It said in a message to passengers: “We have been informed of a national issue with communication systems affecting service this morning.
“This means that trains may be delayed before they start their journey.
“This is because it is preventing our train drivers from contacting the respective signalling centre this morning and a reset is having to be performed before the train can start its journey.”
Radio system causing delays ‘being investigated’
08:37 , Holly EvansThe failure with the GSM-R system, a radio system onboard trains, “is currently being investigated”, National Rail Enquiries said.
GSM-R is designed to enable driver and signallers to communicate digitally at all times, including while trains are in areas such as tunnels and deep cuttings where previous analogue systems did not work.
It was rolled out to increase safety and reduce costs by replacing the patchwork of inefficient legacy systems which were expensive to maintain.
Disruption to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink
08:29 , Holly EvansDisruption can be expected this morning to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink as National Rail continue to investigate the nationwide fault with a communication system.
⚠️NEW: Disruption to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink services this morning #GTRDisruption
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) December 6, 2024
ℹ️More details here:https://t.co/o789IaX8oQ
Trains to Heathrow Airport facing delays
08:19 , Holly EvansThe Heathrow Express is facing delays due to a fault with the radio system, with a warning for travellers to allow extra time for their journey.
In a social media post, they said: “Some Heathrow Express trains to and from Heathrow Airport are currently delayed. Please allow extra time for your journey. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”
Some Heathrow Express trains to and from Heathrow Airport are currently delayed. Please allow extra time for your journey. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. pic.twitter.com/Kzx6qWHjAC
— Heathrow Express (@HeathrowExpress) December 6, 2024
Disruption due to fault with a radio system
08:13 , Holly EvansRail passengers across Britain face disruption due to a fault with a radio system used by train drivers and signallers.
Train information website National Rail Enquiries said trains “across the network” are having to start their journeys later because of the failure of the onboard GSM-R system, and “may be subject to cancellations or alterations”.
Elizabeth line trains serving Reading and Heathrow airport are affected.
ScotRail passengers are being permitted to travel via “any reasonable route” because of the issue.
The failure with the GSM-R system “is currently being investigated”, National Rail Enquiries said.
‘Nationwide fault’ disrupting train services
08:06 , Tom BarnesGood morning and welcome to our live updates on delays to rail services across the UK.
A problem with a communication system used by train drivers and signallers is causing services to start journeys late and could cause disruption on Friday morning, the group said.
A notice on the National Rail website said: “There is a nationwide fault with the communication system used between train drivers and signallers. As a result, services across the National Rail network may be subject to disruption this morning.
“Trains across the network are having to start their journeys later because of this fault and some may also be subject to cancellations or alterations. Please check before you travel, allow extra time for your journey and monitor live departure boards.”
It said the issue is being investigated.
