TRAIN CHAOS
COMMUTERS were forced to walk in the dark on the train tracks to St Pancras station following reports of overhead cable problems this evening.
Pictures on social media show people being lead through tunnels at about 7pm after Thameslink Railway reported major disruptions between London St Pancras International and Bedford.
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Passengers were reportedly stuck underground for more than two hours without air conditioning.
One commuter tweeted: "Just had to be rescued from beneath St Pancras after being stuck underground for over 2 hours with no air con... I did learn that the trains last an hour and a half on battery before the lights go out!"
Passengers are advised not to travel between London and Bedford - adding to today's Bank Holiday travel misery.
On the railway's website it said: "Damage to the overhead wires at Kentish Town is disrupting trains running to and from London St Pancras International.
"Disruption is expected until the end of the day."
Network rail have successfully restored power to wires, but trains have still been left stranded.
The railway said journey times could be delayed up to an hour.
Passenger Philip Wigg said he was stuck in a railway tunnel for two hours before commuters were evacuated onto the track, including a pregnant woman who felt unwell.
He told The Evening Standard: "Got on a Farringdon train to Bedford at 5.06pm, the train stopped just after St Pancras. The train was 'off', lights on but no air con so it was very hot.
"They told us there was a power outage on the track. After about 30 minutes, they said they were going to isolate the section of track and send us to the next station.
"About 30 minutes later, they said we were going to evacuate, but it took ages. We were meant to evacuate from the rear carriage using a ladder but passengers got fed up of waiting and broke the emergency glass and opened the doors."
Bank Holiday traffic saw drivers stuck in 24 mile queues as millions faced a travel chaos ahead of the weekend.
Drivers gearing up to head off for the great August Bank Holiday getaway had been urged not to travel until after 9pm but millions still took to the tarmac.
The worst of the traffic appeared to be on the M4, where there were up to 24 miles of queues, with a crash involving several cars on the M5 around Bristol adding to delays.
At one point the M25 near Dartford was brought to a standstill following a multi-vehicle crash.
The roads chaos was matched by scenes of huge queues at stations, with massed travellers pictured at London's Euston, Waterloo and King's Cross station.
As the work day finishes and holidaymakers rush to get away for the long weekend, the roads are expected to be full.
Stations and airports were packed all day, and as the evening travellers arrive to jet off abroad or head to the coast they will become even busie
A Govia Thameslink Railway spokesperson said: “We regret that journeys have been severely disrupted this evening due to damage to the overhead wires on the Thameslink route near Kentish Town.
“Specialist teams from Network Rail have been on site dealing with this issue and were able to fix the damage.
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"GTR organised rail replacement buses and ticket acceptance with other transport operators.
"There were controlled evacuations of stranded trains where necessary.
"A limited northbound Thameslink service is now running from St Pancras.
"Network Rail has apologised for disruption caused this evening."
How do I claim on delay repay for Thameslink?
Thameslink say travellers are entitled to compensation for any delay or cancellation that causes you to arrive 15 minutes or more behind schedule, except where delays have been caused by planned engineering works.
You need to apply for compensation online or by post within 28 days of your delayed journey.
They will respond to your claim within 20 working days.
To complete the online or printed form, you’ll need proof of travel which depends on what type of ticket you have.
If you bought a paper ticket proof includes:
- Your original ticket
- A ticket receipt, if you no longer have your ticket
- A scan or photograph of your season ticket and photocard
If you have a key smartcard you can use the key smartcard number on the front of your card.
If using a smartcard from another train company (including Southeastern Key Card holders) you will need your smartcard number and a receipt or booking confirmation showing details of the tickets held on your smartcard.
If you have an Oyster season ticket you will need a receipt showing the date of purchase, the price you paid and the zones covered by your Oyster card.
And if you are using Oyster pay as you go or contactless payment you will need a printout showing where you touched in and out and the cost of your journey.
If you're delayed by:
- 15-29 minutes you're entitled to 25% of the cost of a single journey
- 30-59 minutes you're entitled to 50% of the cost of a single journey
- 60-119 minutes you're entitled to 100% of the cost of a single journey
- 120+ minutes you're entitled to 100% of the cost of a return journey (a full day’s travel)
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