UK travel chaos LIVE: Train DERAILS between Reading and London while train strikes spark misery for commuters

UK travel chaos LIVE: Train DERAILS between Reading and London while train strikes spark misery for commuters

WATCH NOW: ‘Train drivers are some of the highest paid and luckiest workers'

GB NEWS
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 05/04/2024

- 08:26

Updated: 05/04/2024

- 16:45

Disruption between Reading and Paddington is expected until midday

Commuters face disruption this morning after a freight train derailed between Reading and Paddington.

Great Western Railway and Transport for London confirmed some lines were blocked following the incident.


GWR said: “Due to a derailed train between Reading and London Paddington some lines are blocked.

“Impact: Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 12pm 05/04.”

TFL added: “Severe delays between Paddington and Reading / Heathrow Airport while we fix a faulty freight train in the West Ealing area. Good service on the rest of the line. London Underground accepting tickets.”

Disruption between Reading and Paddington comes as ASLEF union workers engage in industrial action today.

Further strikes will take place on April 8 and April 9.

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Elizabeth Line no longer faces delays


There are no longer delays on the Elizabeth Line, Transport for London has said.

The Elizabeth Line is now operating a "good" service as are all other lines apart from the Circle which has minor delays.

There is currently no service from Golders Green to Edgware on the Northern line as part of a planned closure.

Bakerloo Line suffered severe delays

The Bakerloo Line suffered severe delays this morning between Elephant & Castle and Queen's Park.

A fault did not impact a good service on the rest of the line.

There were separately severe delays on the Elizabeth Line.

Sadiq Khan welcomes halt to proposed tube strike

Sadiq Khan last night said: "Good news for Londoners: Monday’s tube strike is no longer going ahead.

"This demonstrates - once again - what can be achieved by talking and engaging with transport staff and trade unions rather than working against them."

Storm Kathleen threatens to bring 'dangerous' driving conditions to UK

Storm Kathleen could bring "dangerous" driving conditions to the UK, with Britons facing the 11th named storm of storm season.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “This intense period of stormy weather is going to prove extremely challenging for anyone driving on the western side of the UK.

"We strongly urge drivers to avoid exposed coasts and higher routes where the impact of the very strong winds is most likely to be felt.

“It’s vital to slow down, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times, and be prepared for the buffeting effect which can occur when overtaking high-sided vehicles.

"Leaving a much larger gap between vehicles also allows drivers to react quickly in the event of falling branches or flying debris.”

The Met Office's yellow wind warnings added: "Some roads and bridges may close [and] road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible."

Photos of freight train derailment released from West London

Railway workers at the scene of a freight train derailment in West Ealing, west London

Railway workers at the scene of a freight train derailment in West Ealing, west London,

PA

Photos from the freight train derailment in West London have been released.

Images showed railway workers at the scene in West Ealing earlier today.

Lines have reopened but disruption could remain for a while longer.

Collision causes delays on M2 in Kent

A collision has caused delays on the M2 in Kent.

Six miles of congestion has been building up on the M2 eastbound between Sittingbourne and Faversham.

One of two lanes is closed after a collision and there are delays of 60 minutes.

Government lashes out against Aslef strikes 

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table.

"Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the Transport Secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table - taking train drivers' average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000."

Lines reopen near West Ealing but delays expected for hours

National Rail has said lines have reopened in West Ealing.

However, rail services will still face delays until the end of the day.

National Rail said: “As service recovers, trains running between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport / Reading may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or diverted.”

It had been estimated to clear at 2pm after a freight train derailed from the track.

A subsequent update suggested delays could last until 5pm.

Services delayed following 'casualty' on tracks

Services between Darlington and York were delayed yesterday after a person was hit by a train.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "Officers were called to the line near Northallerton railway station at around 8.15pm yesterday (4 March) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

"Paramedics also attended however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

An official from LNER added: "It is with great sadness that we report that a person has been hit by a train between Darlington and York. Services are subject to delays when passing in the surrounding area.”

Freight train disruption continues until 2pm

Disruption between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport / Reading is expected to last until 2pm.

A Network Rail spokesperson added: "At around 6.10am this morning, a freight train derailed while travelling into the sidings at West Ealing.

"There were no injuries and we closed the adjacent lines to assess that it was safe for trains to pass.

"One of the lines has now reopened to passenger trains and a team is on site to assess the situation with the freight train and whether the second adjacent line can be safely reopened.

"Trains between London Paddington and Reading may be cancelled, delayed or revised while we deal with the incident.

"Passengers are advised to check their journey with National Rail Enquiries before travelling."

Aslef workers join picket line at Euston on first day of three-day walk out

Large parts of the country have no train services because of a fresh strike by drivers in a long-running pay dispute.

Members of Aslef at Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern walked out on Friday, mounting picket lines outside stations.

Aslef boss claims strikes have public support 

Aslef's general secretary Mick Whelan has claimed the British public support strike action.

Speaking outside Euston Station, he said: "We've had people shaking their hands, hooting their horns and waving at us.

"We haven't had one disgruntled person come up to this line yet."

He said "there isn't a household in the country with someone in the public sector or private sector" that has not had someone go on strike or "fight for a cost-of-living (pay) increase".

Whelan added: "There's far greater empathy and sympathy from the travelling public than you might believe."

TFL reaches deal with Aslef as Londoners avoid strikes

Tube journeys will go ahead as usual

Tube journeys will go ahead as usual

GETTY

Transport for London has reached a deal with Aslef over working conditions.

The deal ensures scheduled industrial action for April 8 and May 4 will not go ahead.

An ASLEF official said: “Management have confirmed that they have disbanded their ‘Trains Modernisation’ team and will not be implementing their plans to change drivers’ working arrangements without agreement.

"They have also agreed to reinstate annual refresher training stopped during the pandemic.”

The spokesperson added: "We are pleased that we have successfully resolved these long standing issues without the need for strikes."

Train derails between Reading and Paddington

Great Western Railway and Transport for London confirmed some lines were blocked following an incident between Reading and Paddington.

GWR said: “Due to a derailed train between Reading and London Paddington some lines are blocked.

“Impact: Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 12pm 05/04.”

TFL added: “Severe delays between Paddington and Reading / Heathrow Airport while we fix a faulty freight train in the West Ealing area. Good service on the rest of the line. London Underground accepting tickets.”

National Rail strikes cause commuter chaos

Commuters view a live departure board at Paddington rail station showing delayed and cancelled trainsCommuters view a live departure board at Paddington rail station showing delayed and cancelled trainsGETTY

Members of the train drivers' union Aslef have caused chaos this morning after declaring strike action for three-days amid a long-running pay dispute.

Services affected include Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, and West Midlands Railway.

Further strike action will take place on April 6 and April 8.

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