Queen funeral chaos as train line into Paddington blocked leaving mourners unable to get into London
MOURNERS travelling into London for the Queen’s funeral face severe disruption after trains were cancelled.
Damage to overhead electric wires between Paddington Station and Slough caused all services on the line to be halted.
Passengers on the 6.25am train from Paddington to Slough were stuck for more than two hours just outside the London station with GWR confirming they had evacuated the train.
Travellers face cancellations and delays of up to 90 minutes, with anyone wanting to travel into the capital told to expect delays up until 10am.
Slough is a change point between Paddington and Windsor and Eton Central – one of two overland stations that serve Windsor Castle, which is to be the monarch's final resting place after a procession from London on Monday afternoon.
The disruption has also impacted the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services, halting all trains heading in and out of London.
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Passengers waiting at Slough were advised to travel to Windsor and take a South Western Railway train to Waterloo.
Transport for London (TfL) has urged travellers to change at Hammersmith and take the Piccadilly Line instead.
Great Western Railways (GWR) said in a Twitter message from their customer service account: “Due to damage to overhead wires, all lines between Slough and Paddington are blocked.
“Train services running to or from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 90 minutes – disruption is expected until 10am.”
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GWR apologised to customers in a further statement, adding: "We are very sorry for the disruption this morning, and are working hard to get services running as soon as possible."
As many as two million people are expected to make their way to London to watch the funeral and many central locations are “now extremely busy,” according to City Hall.
“The areas in and around Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall, St James’s Park and Green Park are extremely busy,” it said.
“If you are arriving to watch Her Majesty the Queen’s state funeral and procession, please be patient and follow the advice of stewards and police.”
TfL boss Andy Byford said: “We’re ready for probably one of the busiest days Transport for London has ever faced. “It’s hard to say exactly how many additional people (will travel), but we’re preparing for potentially a million people just within the footprint of the royal palaces and Hyde Park.”
Mr Byford said TfL is “leaving nothing to chance”, with non-essential meetings postponed and people from across the organisation working to ensure visitors can “get around the city”.
Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy warned that trains will be “extremely busy”.
He said: “This is the biggest public transport operation since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and we’re working closely with all train operators to run extra trains through the day and into the night.
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“To help us provide the best possible experience and avoid lengthy queues at stations we’re asking people not to rush home after the funeral and the processions, but to take their time and experience London on this memorable day.”
More than 100 Heathrow Airport flights will be cancelled to prevent aircraft noise disturbing proceedings at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle.
