Key facts
- A passenger train derailed near Lewes in East Sussex before 4pm.
- Several rail routes were closed due to the derailment.
- Emergency services responded to the incident and advised people to avoid the area.
- Passengers were warned of potential delays of up to 60 minutes.
- A separate incident involved a train derailment at Selhurst depot in south-east London.
- A signalling fault between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction also contributed to widespread disruption.
- Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) initially issued a 'do not travel' alert which was later withdrawn.
- Services on Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express were severely affected.
A passenger train derailed in East Sussex near Lewes shortly before 4pm, leading to the closure of several rail routes and prompting an emergency response. Passengers travelling in the area were advised to allow up to 60 minutes extra for their journeys.
Separately, severe disruption continued across south-east England on Wednesday following an early morning derailment at Selhurst depot in south-east London and a signalling failure at London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services, had issued a "do not travel" alert at 8am due to the multiple incidents, but this was withdrawn by 10am. However, services remained cancelled, revised, or delayed by up to an hour.
The Selhurst derailment blocked the depot, preventing other trains from leaving. Images showed the train remained upright with no confirmed injuries. GTR's engineering director, Steve Lammin, stated that the train had been re-railed but clearing it from the track and assessing infrastructure would take time. He apologised for the inconvenience and noted that 134 trains would be out of position overnight, potentially causing further disruption during Thursday morning's rush hour.
The signalling fault meant fewer rail lines were available between Norwood Junction and London Bridge, forcing trains to run at slower speeds. Services were suspended on routes including Brighton to Cambridge and Bedford to Three Bridges, with numerous other Thameslink routes also affected. Commuters reported dangerously overcrowded platforms and significantly extended journey times.
Elsewhere on the network, signalling issues between Crewe and Sandbach disrupted services operated by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern, and Transport for Wales, while a signalling problem also affected South Western Railway services between Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.