The Elizabeth line was suspended through London until at least midday today following over-running engineering works, causing morning rush-hour chaos.
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed no trains were running in the central section of the line between Paddington in the west and Abbey Wood or Stratford in the east.
There were also severe delays between Paddington and both Heathrow Airport and Reading in the west. Network Rail said: ‘Major disruption is expected until 12pm.’
Meanwhile TfL also reported that there was also no service on the Circle Line clockwise and severe delays anti-clockwise due to a points failure at Edgware Road.
The same problem also meant there was no District line between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington, and severe delays on the Hammersmith and City line.
One traveller called Luke posted a photograph of closed shutters at Woolwich station, tweeting TfL to say: ‘Pretty poor show to take out such an important link.
‘I’m up early to get a 20 minute bus to the station, heading to a 7.30am spin class. Impossible to make it now, so back on the bus to head home and shower for work.’
Greg McCaw asked TfL: Why is the Elizabeth line so unreliable? It must be every week since I’ve moved to London, there’s something.’
And Briony McKinn said: ‘Yet again… TfL and Network Rail showing their competence with the Elizabeth line. Today’s issue is late running engineering works. Absolute jokers!’
Another passenger in Woolwich called Martin tweeted: ‘Elizabeth line down, but passengers only find out when they get up to the station entrance.’
A TfL travel update said: ‘No service between Abbey Wood / Stratford and Paddington and severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Airport / Reading due to a late finish to engineering work. Minor delays on the rest of the line.
‘Elizabeth Line tickets are valid on London Buses, London Underground, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), Southeastern and Thameslink services.’
And Network Rail said: ‘Overunning engineering works between London Paddington and Whitechapel means all lines are blocked. As a result service is suspended between London Paddington and Stratford / Abbey Wood. Major disruption is expected until 12pm.
‘Services between Reading / Heathrow Terminals and London Paddington can still run but these services will be reduced with no trains calling at Heathrow Terminal 5.
‘Services between London Paddington and Shenfield will be cancelled or revised to run between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Services between London Paddington and Abbey Wood will be cancelled.’
More to follow