Train services to London severely disrupted by damaged overhead wires

Frustration for royal fans trying to get to London to pay their respects to Queen as train services to capital are severely disrupted by damaged overhead wires

  • Greater Anglia said all lines between Ipswich and Manningtree blocked 
  • Was first reported yesterday afternoon but expected disruption for rest of today
  • Overhead wires were wrapped around a train removed just after midnight
  • There is a limited replacement bus service between Colchester and Ipswich  
  • The Queen’s funeral: All the latest Royal Family news and coverage

Royal fans trying to get to London to pay their respects to the Queen have been left frustrated by severely disrupted train services to the capital caused by damaged overhead wires. 

Greater Anglia said that all lines between Ipswich and Manningtree are blocked because of the problem.

The damage was first reported yesterday afternoon but is so extensive that it is expected to cause disruption for the rest of today.  

The wires were wrapped around a train, which was removed from the scene shortly after midnight. 

Rail services connecting parts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex with London are affected by the issue.

Between Colchester and Ipswich there is a limited replacement bus service. 

It comes as train operators run extra services to ease journeys into the capital for mourners.

The damage was first reported yesterday afternoon but is so extensive that it is expected to cause disruption for the rest of today. Pictured: Damaged overhead cables 

The wires were wrapped around a train, which was removed from the scene shortly after midnight. Pictured: Cables are repaired by Network Rail Anglia 

In a statement, Greater Anglia said: ‘Network Rail engineers are working to complete the necessary repairs as quickly as possible, but the extent and nature of the damage mean that it is currently expected to take until the end of Friday before the work is finished and a normal service can be restored.

‘We’re very sorry for the inconvenience this disruption will cause to passengers’ journeys.’

Network Rail’s route director for Greater Anglia said: ‘I am really sorry to passengers who are affected by the ongoing issues in Suffolk.

‘Our engineers have been working since the incident to remove the train and repair the overhead wires.

‘The damage is extensive and it will take us until the end of the day to fix.

‘A rail replacement service is in operation.

‘Once again I apologise for the disruption and advise anyone travelling through the affected stations to check with the train operator before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journeys.’

More travel chaos is expected in the coming days as people make their way into London ahead of the Queen’s funeral.

Transport chiefs are expecting demand on railways and roads in London to be ‘unprecedented’.

On Sunday, the Elizabeth line will run a special service with 12 trains per hour on the central section from Paddington to Abbey Wood.

And staff at some underground stations may have to implement queuing, closures or non-stopping trains. 

Passengers were urged to leave plenty of time for their journeys during the official mourning period, with The Rail Delivery Group warning that trains to London and its stations would be ‘extremely busy.’ 

The public have been told to avoid using Green Park station as high numbers of passengers are expected to pass through the stop.

More travel chaos is expected in the coming days as people make their way into the city ahead of the Queen’s funeral. Pictured: A tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at a tube station 

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