London train delays: Thousands of commuters battle to get home after flash floods spark rail chaos

Huge crowds of commuters packed onto the concourse at Waterloo station
Triin Photographer
Hatty Collier23 June 2016

Thousands of rush hour commuters crammed into stations across London today as they battled to get home after flash flood’s wreaked chaos on the capital’s rail network.

Rail passengers facing lengthy journeys because of heavy downpours overnight and this morning left work early to try and beat the delays.

But travellers complained of “chaos” and “pandemonium” as huge crowds packed onto the station concourses at Waterloo and Victoria.

Tempers frayed as commuters jostled with one another beneath the departure boards while they waited for information about delayed trains.

Many were concerned they would not be able to get home in time to vote in the EU Referendum before the cut off point at 10pm.

Commuters crammed onto the concourse at Waterloo station
Twitter / @Scientits

Southern, Southeastern and South West Trains services are among those affected.

Passengers took to Twitter to vent their frustration at the disruption and share pictures of the overcrowding.

George Franks tweeted: "I have never seen anything like Waterloo Station this evening and I have commuted for over 10 years! @SW_Trains."

Mark Jolley wrote: "Waterloo station is a shambles."

Eden said: "A first for everything: seeing every single train at Waterloo cancelled, thousands of people continuing to pour into the station..."

Another user said: "Tempers fraying here at Camp Waterloo. Police telling people move down carriage. Commuters having mimed argument on opp. sides of train window."

Sean Hatcher tweeted: "Chaos at Waterloo. No trains/ no announcements/ no management, dangerous overcrowding."

Oliver Hobbs said: "Will be unable to vote if the delays at Waterloo continue. Bit of rain and our transport system goes to pot. #tfl #vote."

Lucia Elizabeth tweeted: "Two word #horrorstory - Victoria Station."

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents Network Rail, said Southern, Abellio Greater Anglia, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and South West Trains services have all been affected.

Southeastern said it is also facing disrupted services, worsened by signalling problems preventing trains coming in and out of Cannon Street.

A Southern spokesman said trains will be affected all day after nearly a month’s worth of rain last night flooded tracks at Clapham Junction and Victoria stations.

Tube stations across the capital were also closed due to flooding including Westminster, Farringdon, Tooting Bec, Lambeth North and Blackfriars.

Flash flooding hits London - in pictures

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A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman apologised to those whose journeys had been affected.

"A small number of our stations have been closed or part-closed due to flooding, caused by the heavy rain," said the spokesperson.

"We're working to clear the water as quickly as possible so that services can return to normal.

"Passengers are advised to check the TfL website and our social media feeds for the latest information."

This page is being updated.

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