Charing Cross: Commuter chaos as Southeastern Rail services delayed and cancelled on hottest day of the year

Southeastern said services are likely to be delayed or cancelled until 7pm due to a signalling problem between Charing Cross and St Johns (file image)
Welling/Twitter
Fiona Simpson14 September 2016

Southeastern Rail commuters faced chaos as trains through Charing Cross faced severe delays and cancellations on the hottest September day for 100 years.

A signalling problem between Charing Cross and St Johns left passengers delayed and stranded for hours as temperatures in London soared above 30C.

Some services were diverted to Cannon Street or Victoria as Network Rail advised customers to use alternative stations.

A mother has told of her “panic” after being stuck on a train with her nine-month-old daughter for two-and-a-half-hours.

Katy Kleyn was making a short 30-minute journey from the station to Elmstead Woods in south-east London with her daughter Annabelle when her train was stopped due to the issues.

The 31-year-old described how the 2.06pm service stopped for almost an hour between Charing Cross and Waterloo East and chugged slowly towards her station.

She said: “As the train stopped between stations there was absolutely no wind so it was very hot.

“After two hours Annabelle was getting very red and hot and I did start to panic.

“I was down to my last bottle of water between the two of us and you do start to worry.”

The pair eventually reached their stop just before 4.30pm.

The frustrated mother described the service as “shameful”.

Frustrated travellers took to social media to discuss the delays.

Craig tweeted: “Travel Chaos for anyone wanting to travel to Tonbridge from all London stations Charing Cross has no trains departing or arriving.”

White Alex Mitchell wrote: “If anyone plans to take a train from Charing Cross this afternoon and has the alternative option of eating their own feet, go for the feet.”

The signalling failure was fixed shortly before 4.30pm but passengers have been warned to expect delays until 9pm.

Today is officially the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures reaching a blistering high of 34.4C in Gravesend, Kent.

This makes also it the warmest September day since 1911.

London Heatwave September 2016

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The heatwave also brought an early high of 32.2C at Heathrow, which was recorded just before lunchtime, the Met Office said, toppling the 31.6C temperature recorded at Gatwick in September 1961.

Soaring temperatures mean London is hotter than Bangkok in Thailand, the party island of Ibiza, Spanish capital Madrid, Los Angeles in Califoria, and the city of Marrakesh in Morocco.

A spokesman for Southeastern said: “Because of an earlier signalling issue between Charing Cross and St Johns, trains remain severely disrupted, and may be altered, delayed or cancelled at short notice.

“London Underground are accepting tickets to help get you to alternative stations.

“Docklands Light Railway are also accepting tickets, as are London Buses.

“Please check before you travel and if you have been delayed over 30 minutes, don't forget to claim Delay Repay.”

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