TRAIN services have been badly disrupted between London and Brighton, after heavy rain overnight, while an overhead line failure in North London has brought First Capital Connect services to a standstill north of St Pancras.
Network Rail said 'water was flowing above the rails' in Balcombe Tunnel. Pumps have been used to reduce the flood level, and a limited service began during the morning. But further problems could lie ahead, because more rain is forecast in the area. Train services on the Brighton Main Line have been diverted via Horsham and Arundel, while First Capital Connect services to Brighton have encountered further delays, this time in north London, because of a major overhead line fault at Hendon station. As a result there are no trains running between London and Luton, and First Capital Connect said it did not expect Network Rail to complete repairs today.
Homebound commuters are facing long journeys on alternative routes, which include rail replacement buses between Hitchin and Luton, from where trains are running to Bedford. East Midlands Trains services have also been suspended south of Bedford.
Elsewhere in Sussex earlier today, the East Grinstead line was flooded at Lingfield and Dormans, while the Redhill to Tonbridge line is reported to be blocked at Nutfield.
Network Rail’s route managing director for Sussex, Tim Robinson, said: “It has been a difficult start to the day and we apologise to passengers for their disrupted journeys today. Heavy rain last night and this morning has landed on already saturated ground and run off on to the railway in several locations.
“We are working hard to get the lines clear again as soon as possible.”
Replacement buses have been running between Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport, but floods have also affected a number of main roads in Sussex, including the M23, A22 and A23.