Train chaos across Britain as networks hit by ‘nationwide fault’ sparking cancellations & major delays during rush hour

SEVERAL train companies have been hit by major delays this morning due to a nationwide fault.

Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink and Southeastern trains were all affected.

National Rail said disruption was caused by an issue with an onboard communication system between train drivers and signal operators.

The operator said services may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.

A statement read: "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.

"Trains across the network are having to start their journeys later because of this fault and some may also be subject to cancellations or alterations.

"Please check before you travel, allow extra time for your journey and monitor live departure boards."

ScotRail passengers are being permitted to travel via "any reasonable route" because of the issue.

South Western Railway 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."

GSM-R is designed to enable driver 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.

London Underground and Overground lines also experienced closures and delays today.

A signal failure meant minor delays for commuters between Acton Town and Heathrow Airport.

Meanhwile the newly renamed Suffragette Line suffered severe delays.

A train was also broken down on the Northern Line and there was no service between Rayners Court and Uxbridge on the Piccadilly Line.

Transport for London (TfL) said there were minor delays as engineers carried out "emergency" repairs.

Several passengers took to social media to share their experiences of the travel chaos.

One wrote on Twitter: "Elizabeth line keeps inventing new ways to delay the service.

"This time there’s a fault with the radio system between the driver and signaller. Radio, that cutting-edge technology."

Another said: "@TfL some honesty please? Good service and this on the Elizabeth line?"

A third commented: "Good morning #FinsburyPark @TLRailUK @nationalrailenq everything but 1 delayed."]

A frustrated commuter argued: "@nationalrailenq Any word on this mornings rail replacement times?

"It takes me 25 mins to walk to my local station and if I walk there I don’t even know what time you’ve put the buses on for, if there is even one available.

"If I get there and there is nothing then what?"

It was later confirmed by Network Rail that the fault with a radio system had been fixed.

A spokesperson for the Government-owned company said: "An overnight fault with our railway radio system in England and Wales has been traced to one of our major hubs near Stoke, which has now been fixed.

"The fault meant that train drivers were having to manually log into the national radio network rather than it happening automatically.

"The system is now working normally. We're sorry if your journey has been affected today as a result of this issue."