Fire next to train track causes travel chaos

At around 4am yesterday, September 17, Southern reported a fire next to the track between East Croydon and London Bridge which caused “major disruption”, including for travellers in Sussex.

One commuter, who was travelling from Haywards Heath to Brighton, said: “It’s frustrating that I will be late to work.

“It’s unavoidable I guess but with trains so often delayed there’s a lot of annoyed commuters on the platform.”

READ MORE: Live: Major disruption to Sussex trains after fire next to track

 London Fire Brigade and teams from Network Rail were at the scene of the fire near Brockley Station, which damaged the cables that supply electricity to the railway and the signalling equipment.

Govia Thameslink Railway, the operator in charge of Southern and Thameslink services, advised passengers to avoid travelling where possible due to a reduction in services.

Among the widespread disruption, services running between Brighton and Bedford were diverted between East Croydon and London Blackfriars, not stopping at London Bridge, while trains running between Brighton and Cambridge were cancelled.