London travel news LIVE: Thameslink trains hit by ‘major disruption’ due to broken rail near Hatfield

A broken rail near Hatfield is causing “major disruption” to Great Northern and Thameslink services between Finsbury Park and Stevenage on Monday morning.

National Rail says trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

The problem is affecting the two separate routes via both Welwyn Garden City and Hertford North.

Disruption is reported to include Great Northern and Thameslink services on the Peterborough, Cambridge and Kings Lynn routes.

Follow the latest travel updates below…

Changes to Thameslink and Great Northern trains

08:16 , Miriam Burrell

The following alterations will take place:

• Trains from Welwyn Garden City towards Moorgate will run non-stop from Hatfield to New Barnet, to reduce congestion

• Trains between Kings Lynn / Ely and London Kings Cross will divert onto another route between Stevenage and London Kings Cross, taking around 20 minutes longer than usual

• Peak-time trains between Peterborough and London Kings Cross will be cancelled (Horsham services will still run)

• Peak-time trains between Welwyn Garden City and Sevenoaks will not run on the part of the route between Welwyn Garden City and London Blackfriars

‘Very limited’ London-bound service between Stevenage and Finsbury Park

08:14 , Miriam Burrell

Thameslink and Great Northern trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised as major disruption continues on Monday, National Rail said.

There is “only a very limited London-bound service” between Stevenage and Finsbury Park via Welwyn Garden City.

Commuters are advised to delay travelling until later today, “once trains and crews are in the right places and a more stable service can run”.

There will still be changes to services all day.

Trains which do run may be delayed, National Rail said.

Thameslink and Great Northern trains disrupted between Stevenage and Finsbury Park

07:48 , Michael Howie

Great Northern and Thameslink are working with Network Rail to repair the broken rail at Hatfield.

It means that, at least until 8am, there will be no London-bound trains between Stevenage and Finsbury Park via Welwyn Garden City.

Travel on this route will be extremely limited and it is recommended that you delay travelling until later today.

This affects Knebworth, Welwyn North, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Welham Green, Brookmans Park, Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, New Barnet, Oakleigh Park and New Southgate stations.

Trains will be diverted via Hertford North where possible, but these services have been impacted as well. In turn, trains will stop at fewer stations on this route.

There could be severe delays at times across the whole network due to congestion.

Broken rail near Hatfield causing ‘major disruption’

07:43 , Michael Howie

National Rail is flagging “major disruption” to some Thameslink and Great Northern train services due to a broken rail near Hatfield.

Good morning

07:41 , Michael Howie

Welcome to the Standard’s travel liveblog. We’ll be keeping you informed of the major news on the trains, Tube and roads as thousands return to the office after a gloriously warm and sunny weekend in the capital.