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News | London

London travel news LIVE: Elizabeth line suspension hits rush-hour commuters as Abbey Wood-Paddington trains resume

Elizabeth line commuters suffered early-morning chaos on Wednesday as the entire Abbey Wood-Paddington section was suspended due to an electricity supply failure.

National Rail reported that the disruption was expected to continue until 9am.

It later said that while the incident had been “resolved”, disruption was expected to continue. However it appears to be back up and running again, with TfL only reporting minor delays as of 9.25am.

Commuters have turned to X to vented their anger about the latest breakdown. One wrote: “Genuinely think the Elizabeth line would go down less if they made it out of papier mâché. This is a joke.”

Meanwhile severe delays were earlier reported on the Piccadilly line between Cockfosters and Acton Town westbound only, and between Acton Town and Heathrow Terminals following the late finish of engineering work.

A crash between a lorry and a van on the A282 near the Dartford Crossing caused the M25 motorway to be shut with huge tailbacks.

Follow the latest travel updates below...

Live updates

Coverage ends for the day

We have finished our coverage of transport issues in London today. Thanks for following our blog.

Air Ambulance lands on A282 after crash

More now on the crash that has closed the M25.

An air ambulance was seen landing on the motorway on the A282 with National Highways warning of “severe delays”.

A separate report on the crash is here.

M25 closed due to serious collision

The M25 is closed clockwise between Junction 30 Purfleet-on-Thames and the A282 Junction 2 Dartford due to a serious collision, according to National Highways South East.

There are 90 minute delays and approximately seven miles of congestion southbound, and 60 min delays and tailbacks of about five miles north from the M25 Junction 3, it said.

We will be bringing you more details shortly.

Fault with signals at Horsham disrupts all rail lines towards London

A fault with the signalling system at Horsham has disrupted all lines towards London, Network Rail said.

Southern and Thameslink services towards Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport and the capital are expected to be delayed until 6.30pm.

“There may also be short-notice cancellations and alterations to services. Some services may be diverted or will terminate and restart at a different station,” the operator said.

“Please delay travelling until later today.

“If you do travel now you will need to use an alternative route to complete your journey.

“Your journey is likely to take at least an extra 30 minutes this evening.”

Trains from Horsham to Dorking, are not affected by this incident and passengers will not need an alternative route.

Obstruction causes disruption between Stratford and Romford

An obstruction on the track between Stratford and Romford is causing disruption to journeys between both stations.

As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.

“We anticipate disruption will continue 5.30pm,” Network Rail said.

Delays between Swanley and Sevenoaks due to signal fault

A fault with the signalling system in the Otford area is causing disruption to journeys.

As a result, trains from Swanley and Sevenoaks may be delayed by up to 15 minutes.

“Engineers are on site, however delays are expected in the area until this issue is fixed. This is expected until 6pm,” Network Rail said.

Trains from London Marylebone to Aylesbury Vale Parkway axed

A signalling system fault means trains running between London Marylebone and Aylesbury Vale Parkway may terminate at Aylesbury,.

Network Rail says replacement buses are in operation between Aylesbury and Aylesbury Vale Parkway

Services resume after track-side fire

Services between Wimbledon and Clapham Junction have returned to normal after a line-side fire between Earlsfield and Clapham Junction, says National Rail.

Disruption between Wimbledon and Clapham Junction expected until 6pm

A line-side fire between Earlsfield and Clapham Junction is now expected to see rail services cancelled or revised until 6pm, says National Rail.

Trains running between Chessington South / Dorking / Guildford / Hampton Court / Woking / Shepperton and London Waterloo are affected.

South Western Railway services cancelled amid fire

Commuter South Western Railway services in south London may be cancelled or revised this afternoon due to a line-side fire.

The fire took place near the track between Earlsfield and Clapham Junction, meaning some lines to Waterloo are blocked.

Train services towards London Waterloo will not serve Earlsfield, Clapham Junction, Vauxhall until further notice.

Disruption is expected until 3pm.

London travel news LIVE: M25 crash causes massive 10-mile tailback near Heathrow

LIVE – Updated at 07:11

A crash on the M25 caused a 10-mile tailback during morning rush hour on Tuesday as drivers suffered delays of over an hour.

Two of four lines on the motorway were closed clockwise between Junction 11 and Junction 12, with traffic queueing from Cobham Services to the approach to Heathrow.

It comes as major disruption to Great Northern and Thameslink trains due caused by a broken rail ended.

The broken rail at Hatfield in Hertfordshire brought chaos to services running between Finsbury Park and Stevenage throughout Monday.

In an update shortly before 7am on Tuesday, National Rail said the disruption had ended.

Meanwhile TfL was reporting a good service on all Tube lines except the Hammersmith & City, which was suffering minor delays due to a shortage of trains.

Follow the latest travel updates below...

Ongoing issues

Detectives appeal after fatal crash in palmers green.

A pedestrian has died following a collision with a van in Palmers Green.Police were called at around 5.20pm on Sunday to reports of a collision between a van and a man in his 50s in Green Lanes.

The driver of the van stopped at the scene and the man was rushed to hospital, where he later died.

Police enquiries are ongoing to identify and inform his next of kin, as well as into what happened.

No arrests have been made yet.

M25 back to normal after crash

Traffic on the M25 in Surrey appears to be back to normal after the earlier crash.

Inrix is now reporting only pockets of congestion on the 10-mile stretch where vehicles travelling clockwise were backed up.

A crash on the M25 in Surrey has sparked huge tailbacks.

Two lanes of the London orbital were shut clockwise between J11.National Highways South-East reported 50-minute delays with 8 miles of congestion on approach.

However traffic monitor Inrix suggests the tailbacks are nearer 10 miles in length. It says the lanes have now reopened.

Hatfield broken rail disruption over

National Rail has issued an update on yesterday’s disruption to Great Northern and Thameslink services caused by the broken rail near Hatfield.

It’s good news for morning commuters!

TfL dealing with cyber attack

TfL are dealing with an ongoing cyber attack.

At this stage they do not believe customer’s details have been compromised.

SWR trains at Waterloo station disrupted

Disruption at Waterloo station is expected until 8pm.

National Rail said: “Whilst response teams assist the individual to a place of safety, power to the tracks has been switched off which means that all lines are currently blocked.”

Tickets will be accepted, at no extra cost to yourself, on the following services:

London Underground via any reasonable route

London Buses between London Waterloo and Wimbledon

Southern services between Clapham and Dorking in both directions

Severe delays on Overground and line part-suspended

There are now no Overground trains between Stratford and Richmond/Clapham Junction, and severe delays between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside.

This is due to a signal failure at Richmond.

London Overground part-suspended

TfL says the Overground has been part-suspended.

There is no service between Gospel Oak and Upper Holloway and no service between Stratford and Richmond / Clapham due to a signal failure at Richmond.

Severe delays on Central Line

TfL says there are currently severe delays on the Central Line between West Ruislip and White City while it fixes a signal failure at Northolt.

Train services resume between Charing Cross and Hayes

Southeastern trains are now running normally between London Charing Cross and Hayes after a lorry hit a bridge at Eden Park.

Pictured: Lorry hits bridge at Eden Park

South-east london trains disrupted after lorry hits bridge.

A lorry has struck a bridge at Eden Park in south-east London, disrupting Southeastern trains.

No trains can travel between Eden Park and Hayes in Bromley until the bridge has been deemed safe, says National Rail.

Disruption is expected until 1pm.

“Services will end their journey at Elmers End and some services will restart their journey from either Elmers End or Clock House,” said National Rail.

Man taken to hospital after incident at Tottenham Court Road Tube station

A man has been taken to hospital by paramedics after a “medical incident” at Tottenham Court Road Underground station.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.12am on Monday 2 September to reports of a medical incident in Charing Cross Road.

“We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer.

“The first of our crews arrived in five minutes

“Our crews treated a man at the scene, before taking him to hospital as a priority.”

The Northern Line was part-suspended while the incident was dealt with, but later fully reopened. There is currently a good service across the line.

Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines reopen with severe delays

The Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines are now fully open after part-closing earlier following a signal failure, but are experiencing severe delays.

On the Metropolitan Line there are severe delays between Aldgate and Baker Street, and minor delays between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Uxbridge.

On the Piccadilly Line, there are severe delays between South Harrow and Uxbridge.

Major disruption to Southeastern and Thameslink trains after person hit by train in Kent

Major disruption is expect to affect Southeastern and Thameslink trains to and from Kent until 1pm.

All lines are closed after a person was hit by a train between Dartford and Strood. Paramedics are at the scene, says National Rail.

Services affected are:

• Southeastern trains between London St Pancras International and Faversham / Ramsgate / Dover Priory, and also between London Victoria / London Charing Cross and Gravesend
• Thameslink trains between Luton and Rainham

If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email  [email protected]  or visit their site to find your local branch.

Northern Line running but with severe delays

The Northern Line has now fully reopened, after it was partly closed earlier this morning following a “customer incident” at Tottenham Court Road station.

Severe delays are still affecting services between Camden Town and Battersea Power Station via Charing Cross, says TfL.

Piccadilly Line and Metropolitan Line part-suspended

The Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines have been part-suspended due to a signal failure at Rayners Lane, says TfL.

There is no Piccadilly Line service between South Harrow and Uxbridge, and no Metropolitan Line service between Harrow on the Hill and Uxbridge.

TfL says it is working to fix the signal issue.

Severe delays and part-suspension of Northern Line

As we reported earlier, there is no service southbound on the Northern Line between Camden Town and Kennington via Charing Cross.

There are now also severe delays on to northbound services between Battersea Power Station and Camden Town, via Charing Cross, says TfL.

TfL says this is due to a “customer incident” at Tottenham Court Road, but details of the incident are not yet clear.

Person hit by train in Kent

A person has sadly been hit by a train between Dartford and Strood in Kent, says Thameslink.“All lines are blocked between these stations whilst the emergency services work to deal with this incident,” it said in a post on X. “Service information will follow.”

Northern Line part-suspended

The Northern Line is part-suspended due to a “customer incident” at Tottenham Court Road, says TfL.

There is currently no southbound service between Camden Town and Kennington via Charing Cross. There is a good service on the rest of the line.

Good service across Underground network

On the TfL network, there is currently a good service operating on all Tube lines, as well as the DLR and Overground.

Major disruption to Great Northern and Thameslink trains expected until end of day

Great Northern and Thameslink trains running between Finsbury Park and Stevenage are expected to be disrupted until the end of the day, says National Rail.

As we reported earlier, these issues are being caused by a broken rail. National Rail says trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to an hour.

Services affected:

• Great Northern trains between London Kings Cross and Cambridge, and also between Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City / Stevenage
• Thameslink trains between Brighton and Cambridge, and also between London Kings Cross and Peterborough

Fire between Clapham Junction and Wimbledon

A fire next to the track between Clapham Junction and Wimbledon means that trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised, National Rail said.

Disruption is expected until 11am.

Trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines between these stations.

Routes between London Waterloo and Chessington South, Dorking, Guildford, Hampton Court, Shepperton and Woking are affected.

Changes to Thameslink and Great Northern trains

The following alterations will take place:

Trains from Welwyn Garden City towards Moorgate will run non-stop from Hatfield to New Barnet, to reduce congestion

Trains between Kings Lynn / Ely and London Kings Cross will divert onto another route between Stevenage and London Kings Cross, taking around 20 minutes longer than usual

Peak-time trains between Peterborough and London Kings Cross will be cancelled (Horsham services will still run)

Peak-time trains between Welwyn Garden City and Sevenoaks will not run on the part of the route between Welwyn Garden City and London Blackfriars

'Very limited' London-bound service between Stevenage and Finsbury Park

Thameslink and Great Northern trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised as major disruption continues on Monday, National Rail said.

There is “only a very limited London-bound service” between Stevenage and Finsbury Park via Welwyn Garden City.

Commuters are advised to delay travelling until later today, “once trains and crews are in the right places and a more stable service can run”.

There will still be changes to services all day.

Trains which do run may be delayed, National Rail said.

Thameslink and Great Northern trains disrupted between Stevenage and Finsbury Park

Great Northern and Thameslink are working with Network Rail to repair the broken rail at Hatfield.

It means that, at least until 8am, there will be no London-bound trains between Stevenage and Finsbury Park via Welwyn Garden City.

Travel on this route will be extremely limited and it is recommended that you delay travelling until later today.

This affects Knebworth, Welwyn North, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Welham Green, Brookmans Park, Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, New Barnet, Oakleigh Park and New Southgate stations.

Trains will be diverted via Hertford North where possible, but these services have been impacted as well. In turn, trains will stop at fewer stations on this route.

There could be severe delays at times across the whole network due to congestion.

Broken rail near Hatfield causing 'major disruption'

National Rail is flagging “major disruption” to some Thameslink and Great Northern train services due to a broken rail near Hatfield.

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Welcome to the Standard’s travel liveblog. We’ll be keeping you informed of the major news on the trains, Tube and roads as thousands return to the office after a gloriously warm and sunny weekend in the capital.

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Many Londoners had a small detour on their commute home this evening - London Police Services reduced lanes at Southdale Road and Wharncliffe Road South down to only one moving lane of traffic.

That was as the result of a two-vehicle collision. At this time, police have said that injuries of those involved are unknown, however motorists were asked to avoid the area due to the anticipated backup. 

That collision has since been cleared, and London Police Service confirmed that they are still investigating the cause of the collision. 

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I was born and raised in London. Here are the 9 biggest mistakes I see tourists make.

• I was born and raised in London , where I've seen tourists make a wide range of missteps.
• Many go to classic pubs for drinks but fail to order a Sunday roast, one of the best British dishes.
• Others spend a fortune on taxis when the London Underground is cheaper and easy to navigate.

As someone who was born and raised in London, I've seen tourists make their fair share of mistakes — from unwittingly missing out on one of the best British dishes to clogging up traffic on escalators.

But with some advance planning and strategizing, newcomers can make the most of their time in London and save some money as they do it.

Here are the major mistakes I see visitors make while exploring my hometown.

People pay to see panoramic skyline views without realizing they can find them for free.

Whether you're paying for admission to an observation deck or a pricey cocktail at a rooftop bar, going to the top of a skyscraper in any major city will probably cost you money. For the most part, London is no exception.

Many people go to The Shard , a 1,016-foot multiuse skyscraper with panoramic views of the city. Tickets start at £28, or about $37.

But visitors can get a similarly fantastic view at the Sky Garden, which is right across the River Thames from The Shard. London's highest public garden offers some of the best views of the city's skyline and comes complete with an indoor garden, restaurants, and bars. The best bit? Entry is free. 

Local tip: Tickets for Sky Garden are available three weeks in advance, and they're released on a weekly basis every Monday morning (excluding bank holidays). They book up almost instantly, so plan ahead if you want to see the breathtaking views.

Tourists should never stand on the left side of escalators, especially in London Underground stations.

If you have no intention of walking down or climbing an escalator, make sure you stand on the right side. That way, those who don't want to stand still have the option to pass you on the left, keeping you from running into a scorned Londoner.

It's an unwritten rule in the city , and everyone, visitors and locals alike, must follow it. 

Keep this in mind when you're getting on the London Underground (also known as the Tube), especially if you want to avoid strangers angrily telling you to move as they rush to make their train.

Because the city has a reputation for being rainy, visitors fail to prepare for all types of weather.

One common misconception about London is that it always rains — which isn't entirely wrong, but it also isn't exactly correct either. The reality is that you need to prepare for all four seasons , regardless of the time of year.

You probably don't need to bring a winter jacket if you're visiting in July, but pack versatile clothing that will give you options in case you encounter unexpected temperatures.

If you're planning to go out at night, note that the temperature tends to drop a fair bit, even in the summer, so bring a layer.

Many people leave London without ordering a pub-made Sunday roast, a classic British dish.

Going to the pub is a rite of passage during any trip to the UK, let alone a visit to its capital city. It is steeped in history and home to some of the country's oldest and finest watering holes.

But many tourists don't realize pubs serve some of the city's best food , too. 

No trip to London is complete without trying a Sunday roast, a traditional meal typically made up of roasted meat (or a meatless alternative), roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, gravy, and a variety of vegetables.

Tourists take the Tube short distances around Central London, but it's a very walkable area.

When you're in Central London, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to take public transit everywhere you go. However, it can be a waste of time and money. 

Take Leicester Square and Covent Garden, for example. They're one Tube stop away from each other, resulting in a ride that's about one minute long. 

However, that doesn't account for the time it takes to get in and out of the stations, especially since Covent Garden has stairs and an elevator instead of an escalator.

If you're willing and able to walk, I recommend avoiding the chaos inside two of London's busiest stations and enjoying a five-minute stroll down Long Acre, a street home to numerous shops and restaurants, instead.

Some people only shop on Oxford Street, but other areas have stores that are just as wonderful.

Oxford Street is one of the best places to go shopping in London, but it's also one of the city's busiest streets. It's often a bit chaotic, but the activity level really ramps up on weekends. 

For a more peaceful shopping experience with options just as good as those on Oxford Street, visit stores on King's Road in Chelsea or Marylebone. You can also explore the high streets in areas like Camden Town and Hampstead. 

Branching out beyond Central London will increase your chances of finding local, independently-owned businesses selling goods you can't get outside the UK.

Visitors splurge to stay in the center of London, but public transportation makes it easy to get around the city regardless of where they stay.

It can be tempting to book a luxurious hotel right in the heart of Central London, but in my opinion, that's not the best way to spend your money .

Thanks to London's amazing public transportation system, almost anywhere you stay will have excellent connections to most parts of the city. 

Staying in areas such as Camden, Islington, and Stratford will give you a more authentic experience and get you a lot more value for your money. 

Travelers overpay for airport taxis and cars when there's a litany of cheaper, faster transportation options.

Tourists often spend a fortune on taxi rides from the airport to wherever they're staying, which is a big no-no. Sadly, London's iconic black cabs are usually overpriced, and rideshare apps tend to be no different when it comes to the trek from the airport to the city. 

Alternatives — such as coaches (buses) and railways, including the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, and Elizabeth line — are cheaper and will usually get you where you need to go in less time than a car.

Local tip: The Elizabeth line is an air-conditioned rail service that leaves from the same platform as the Heathrow Express and costs about half the price.

Newcomers often overlook London's free museums and galleries.

From the Tate Modern to The British Museum, London is home to some of the world's finest museums and galleries, and many of them are free to visit. 

Visiting the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum is a great way to spend an entire day, as all three museums are within walking distance of each other.

They're also located right by the Royal Albert Hall, meaning you can end a day of museum-hopping by watching a fabulous show at the historic concert hall. Just make sure you book tickets in advance.

It's also worth noting that some museum exhibitions, even the free ones, require you to reserve slots ahead of time. So take a look at the places you're interested in visiting before your trip to ensure you don't miss out.

This story was originally published on May 12, 2023, and most recently updated on September 6, 2024.

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How to protect pets during triple-digit SCV heat 

As temperatures soar for the remainder of the week, Santa Clarita residents are advised to take precautions to protect not only themselves, but also their beloved pets.   Residents are encouraged to not only prevent, but in case of emergency, look for signs that their animals are experiencing heat stroke.  Victoria,

Featured Video | Evening of Remembrance

Wilk pens letter, asks Newsom to visit Chiquita 

Hearing scheduled for gang murder suspect 

Newhall school board OKs increasing public comment time 

Break-in suspect deemed not fit to stand trial  

Charge filed in November fatal crash 

Power outage affecting more than 1,300 in Newhall 

Latest news.

Schiavo’s consumer bills pass to Newsom’s desk  

COC set to host 10th Annual SCV Human Trafficking Prevention Summit  

Victims in Georgia school shooting identified 

Hunter Biden signals surprise plea in bid to avoid trial on tax charges 

Harris accepts debate rules for showdown with Trump  

Schwab survey: Americans now need $2.5 million to be considered wealthy 

College Briefs for Sept. 5

Latest videos.

Stories with Video

Three brush fires break out along SR-14   

Deputies and community members gather for Deputy Jake Kuredjian’s 23rd annual vigil 

Annual Evening of Remembrance hosted at Central Park 

Holy cross foundation names new philanthropy officer , dow plunges more than 600 points amid slowdown fears , sheriff’s department’s annual chili cookoff returns , civil rights activist dolores huerta visits golden valley .

• Sunday Signal

Bring Balance and Imperfection to the Kitchen Through Japandi Style 

Rocky peak offers a hidden cave with swings, hammocks , september is california wine month , john boston | my 1st cigarette & my very last stinkpot cigar, larry moore | reflections on dnc, night 2, thomas oatway | trump behaving disrespectfully.

West Ranch football tops Antelope Valley, 36-14 

Canyon earns historic win over Hart  

SCV football: Week 3 preview 

Hart cross country off to strong start 

SCV football: Week 3 Thursday games preview 

SCCS football takes down Santa Clara in season opener  

Trinity football rides strong start to victory over Channel Islands 

West Ranch freshman breaks kill record in first career road match 

New era Hart football earns first win 

SCV High School Football Standings

Hart volleyball storms back to win league opener over Valencia  

Canyon football dominates buena in home opener, 38-14 .

Sheriff’s deputy faces federal excessive force charge 

FYI kicks off school year for foster youth 

Community college officials encouraging students to apply for financial aid ahead of deadline 

Chamber Latino Business Alliance to host Hispanic Heritage Celebration 

Politics & govt.

Senate candidate Mueller defends claims about law experience 

Ron Perry | 7 Questions About Masks

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