National rail says ‘nationwide fault’ disrupting trains across the UK – live updates

In a statement about the radio communication problems that are disrupting trains in Britain, National Rail says it expects disruption to last until noon.

It says that in England services across the Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express network are expected to be disrupted this morning, with some specific alterations.

• Brighton to Southampton Central will only be running to either Bognor Regis or Chichester

• London Victoria to Ore will terminate and restart at Hastings

• London Victoria to Brighton (Gatwick Express) will terminate and restart at Gatwick Airport

• King’s Lynn to London Kings Cross will only run between King’s Lynn and Cambridge

National Rail state that tickets will be accepted for no extra cost on Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services via any reasonable route, and on the London Underground on any reasonable route between London terminals.

Additionally South Western Railway will accept tickets between Southampton Central, Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth & Southsea and London Waterloo.

South Western Railway is among the operators to cancel some services, PA Media reports.

It said in a message to passengers: “We have been informed of a national issue with communication systems affecting service this morning.

“This means that trains may be delayed before they start their journey.

“This is because it is preventing our train drivers from contacting the respective signalling centre this morning and a reset is having to be performed before the train can start its journey.”

ThamesLink’s interactive tool showing delays suggests that much of the network north of London Bridge is affected with minor delays, as are trains in the Wimbledon area. Trains between Southampton Central and Fareham are experiencing severe delays.

In messages posted to social media, ScotRail has tried to reassure passengers that a nationwide problem with communications between drivers and signallers does not have an impact on safety.

It said “Due to a national fault with the radio system between drivers and signallers, services are subject to delays. Please note that this does not affect the safety of train running as alternative methods are in place. Speak to staff or press help points for further information.”

The ScotRail website is showing 36 out of 36 routes facing “minor disruption”, and has said to passengers via social media:

Our colleagues at Network Rail are experiencing an industry-wide problem with communications systems. Thankfully ScotRail services are operating well, with some minor delays in places. Please check before you travel.

Rail passengers across Britain are facing disruption on Friday morning due to a fault with a radio system used by train drivers and signallers.

In a statement, Network Rail said “There is a nationwide fault with the communication system used between train drivers and signallers. As a result, services across the National Rail network may be subject to disruption this morning.”

It named routes affected as:

• Elizabeth line services between Reading / Heathrow Airport and Reading

• South Western Railway

• ScotRail

• Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink services

National Rail advised that trains across the network are having to start journeys later because “of a nationwide fault with the onboard ‘GSMR radio system that allows communication between train drivers and signal operators”

Passengers are asked to check for delays before they travel, allow extra time for their journey and to monitor live departure boards.