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Commuters face delays on East Coast rail network into London King's Cross Commuters face delays on East Coast rail network into London King's Cross
(7 months later)
Commuters returning to work after the bank holiday weekend face long delays because of overhead wire problems on the key East Coast mainline rail network.Commuters returning to work after the bank holiday weekend face long delays because of overhead wire problems on the key East Coast mainline rail network.
East Coast said the problems near Huntingdon caused severe disruption between Peterborough and King's Cross in London on Tuesday morning. Although repairs had been completed and all lines had reopened, disruption was expected to continue until 10.00am. East Coast said the problems near Huntingdon caused severe disruption between Peterborough and King's Cross in London on Tuesday morning. Although repairs had been completed and all lines had reopened, disruption was expected to continue until 10.00am.
East Coast trains between Edinburgh/Leeds and King's Cross, First Capital Connect trains between Peterborough and King's Cross, First Hull Trains between Hull and King's Cross and Grand Central trains between Sunderland/Bradford Interchange and King's Cross were affected.East Coast trains between Edinburgh/Leeds and King's Cross, First Capital Connect trains between Peterborough and King's Cross, First Hull Trains between Hull and King's Cross and Grand Central trains between Sunderland/Bradford Interchange and King's Cross were affected.
"Network Rail engineers have been working through the night to restore the overhead power lines," said an East Coast spokesman. "However, it is currently unlikely that this work will be completed in time for the start of this morning's services. As a consequence, East Coast trains are expected to be severely restricted, and cancellations are likely throughout the day.""Network Rail engineers have been working through the night to restore the overhead power lines," said an East Coast spokesman. "However, it is currently unlikely that this work will be completed in time for the start of this morning's services. As a consequence, East Coast trains are expected to be severely restricted, and cancellations are likely throughout the day."
The train operator advised customers to delay travel later in the day or to travel on Wednesday if possible. Tickets dated for travel on Monday or Tuesday will be valid for travel on Wednesday, it added.The train operator advised customers to delay travel later in the day or to travel on Wednesday if possible. Tickets dated for travel on Monday or Tuesday will be valid for travel on Wednesday, it added.
The overhead wire problem occurred about five miles from Peterborough. Additional staff were being brought in, including at King's Cross, but the main problems were with passengers heading south rather than out of the capital.The overhead wire problem occurred about five miles from Peterborough. Additional staff were being brought in, including at King's Cross, but the main problems were with passengers heading south rather than out of the capital.
Customers delayed by more than 30 minutes are eligible for compensation under East Coast's delay repay scheme.Customers delayed by more than 30 minutes are eligible for compensation under East Coast's delay repay scheme.
Frustrated passengers took to Twitter to complain. Andrew Palmer said: "My @eastcoastuk direct train to London has been cancelled whilst I'm on it. I can only assume a black hole in North London #peterborough.Frustrated passengers took to Twitter to complain. Andrew Palmer said: "My @eastcoastuk direct train to London has been cancelled whilst I'm on it. I can only assume a black hole in North London #peterborough.
Gemma Chandler said: "I've been sitting on a stationary train at Peterborough for 1hr45mins & we haven't had an announcement update for 55mins."Gemma Chandler said: "I've been sitting on a stationary train at Peterborough for 1hr45mins & we haven't had an announcement update for 55mins."
Amy Firth posted: "It's carnage here at Peterborough with masses still attempting to get on this train. any updates??."Amy Firth posted: "It's carnage here at Peterborough with masses still attempting to get on this train. any updates??."
A Network Rail spokeswoman said the problem was reported at 6.10pm.A Network Rail spokeswoman said the problem was reported at 6.10pm.
There were also delays for passengers in East Anglia due to over-running engineering works at Ipswich. Services between Ipswich and Felixstowe were suspended for a time and a limited bus service ran between Stowmarket and Ipswich.There were also delays for passengers in East Anglia due to over-running engineering works at Ipswich. Services between Ipswich and Felixstowe were suspended for a time and a limited bus service ran between Stowmarket and Ipswich.
On the London underground, there were severe rush-hour delays on the Northern line due to earlier engineering work.On the London underground, there were severe rush-hour delays on the Northern line due to earlier engineering work.
Mick Cash, the acting general secretary of the RMT union, said: "We have been warning for years that cuts to staffing and maintenance on the overhead lines have left them as a weak link in our rail infrastructure. Those warnings have been ignored and last night and this morning passengers have been left to pay the price. The solution is to clear the maintenance and renewals backlog and employ more staff or we will see this morning's transport chaos on rail and tube repeated throughout the winter."Mick Cash, the acting general secretary of the RMT union, said: "We have been warning for years that cuts to staffing and maintenance on the overhead lines have left them as a weak link in our rail infrastructure. Those warnings have been ignored and last night and this morning passengers have been left to pay the price. The solution is to clear the maintenance and renewals backlog and employ more staff or we will see this morning's transport chaos on rail and tube repeated throughout the winter."