6 December 2024, 08:04 | Updated: 6 December 2024, 08:34
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There are significant delays across the railways this morning after a nationwide communications fault.
Services across the National Rail network may be subject to disruption, delays, cancellations or changes due to an issue with the system train drivers and signallers use to contact each other.
Elizabeth Line services between Heathrow and Reading are impacted.
Passengers are advised to wait for the next available train if the service is cancelled.
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.
This is a breaking story. Follow our live blog for updates.
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‘Check before you travel’
LBC’s travel reporter Joanne Webb says commuters should check their train service’s individual website before setting off this morning.
She said: “My best advice is if you need to get a train this morning, just go onto their website, see what’s happening with your individual train.
“It’s probably going to be delayed. You may be lucky, it may only be delayed by about five minutes, but some trains have actually been completely cancelled.”
Southeastern rail ‘open for travel’
Southeastern Rail says all of their routes are open for passengers to travel as a nationwide communications issue causes disruption to the service.
In a post on X, they told passengers that affected trains are delayed “between 5 and 20 minutes.”
Why are trains disrupted this morning?
Trains across the UK are having to start their journies later because “of the failure of the onboard GSM-R system,” says National Rail.
GSM-R is a system that allows drivers 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.
ScotRail services “operating well”
ScotRail says its services are now “operating well” with “minor delays” in places.
Earlier, we reported that ScotRail was experiencing delays due to the communication issue affecting National Rail.
Signal issues don’t affect safety of train running -ScotRail
ScotRail is assuring passengers that the signalling fault affecting service “does not affect the safety of train running” as alternative methods are in place.
What lines are impacted?
National rail says affected services include:
- The Elizabeth Line
- South Western Railway
- Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink services
- Scotrail
National rail says the delays are due to a “nationwide fault” relating to the communication system between train drivers and signallers.
“Nationwide fault” is disrupting train services
Services across the National Rail network may be subject to disruption, delays and cancellations or changes due to an issue with the system drivers and signallers use to contact each other.
Follow our live blog for updates.