A train pulling into the platform at Hackney Downs station
A broken rail was found at Hackney Downs station (Picture: Sinai Noor/REX/Shutterstock)

A broken railway line in London is likely to cause disruption all day, National Rail has warned.

The broken rail at Hackney Downs is causing disruption to trains running through that station, including services to busy London Liverpool Street.

Services heading between Liverpool Street and Seven Sisters, Cheshunt and Chingford could be cancelled or diverted, and disruption is set to last until the end of the day.

A National Rail spokesperson explained: ‘A broken rail was found at Hackney Downs overnight last night.

‘The extent of the damage meant that the repair work could not be completed in time for the start of service today.’

Meanwhile, there are severe delays on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals or Reading after a points failure at Southall.


Latest London Underground status updates

  • Elizabeth line: Severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals/Reading while Network Rail fix a points failure at Southall. Good service on the rest of the line. Tickets are being accepted on local bus services.
  • London Overground: No service between Hackney Downs and Chingford, and severe delays between Liverpool Street/Cheshunt and Enfield Town while we fix a track fault at Hackney Downs. Good service on all other routes.
  • Piccadilly line: Minor delays between Hyde Park Corner and Cockfosters eastbound only while we fix a track fault at Piccadilly Circus. Good service on the rest of the line.
  • District line: Minor delays between Wimbledon and Edgware Road while Network Rail fix a signal failure at East Putney. Good service on the rest of the line.

Full list of routes affected by Hackney Downs broken rail

  • Greater Anglia between London Liverpool Street and Hertford East/Stansted Airport/Cambridge/Cambridge North/Ely
  • London Overground between London Liverpool Street and Enfield Town/Cheshunt/Chingford
  • Stansted Express between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport

National Rail statement on broken rail in full

‘A broken rail was found at Hackney Downs overnight last night.

‘The extent of the damage meant that the repair work could not be completed in time for the start of service today.

‘An altered service plan will operate today.

‘Network Rail staff will be attending the site of the broken rail at the end of service, and will work to carry out the necessary repairs overnight tonight.’


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