Power cut causes chaos in London and South-East England

Power cut causes chaos

Some Tube stations were evacuated
A power cut has caused major disruption on rail and Tube services in London and the South East.
Power returned to the system at 1915 BST but the knock-on effects are still being felt by commuters struggling home.

Network Rail says between 500 and 1,000 trains have been affected by the power cut, thought to have been caused by a problem with the National Grid.

Train company Connex reported the power went out between London and Ashford, affecting services through London Bridge, Victoria, Ashford, New Cross and Bromley.

No trains are running in south London, the area which has been hardest hit, and Transport for London says 60% of the Tube network has been affected.

Extremely busy

Stations and trains were evacuated as commuters using the Tube were plunged into darkness and some were stuck underground as the power went off at 1815 BST.

Buses quickly became extremely busy as commuters abandoned packed Tube platforms.

A London Underground spokesman said: "There will be travellers underground. I don't know the extent of that yet. It's at the end of rush hour, the peak period, so it's a busy time."

LU is trying to get an alternative power feed from north London and power was reportedly restored at 1915 BST, although services are still affected.

Commuter Jane Marriott, 27, was trying to get to Paddington from Canada Water on the Tube, but ended up taking the bus and walking part of the way.

She said: "It's absolute chaos, it's very wet which is making people very miserable.

"A bit of the Blitz spirit is kicking in and people are talking to each other which is nice, but we need more cabs and more bus lanes."

Businesses and homes in Brixton, Battersea and London Bridge were plunged into darkness and Transport for London said 250 sets of traffic lights went out.

Sue Gill from EDF Energy said: "It seems that one of the National Grid circuits that feeds south London has failed.


This train was stuck on Charing Cross bridge in central London

"The National Grid are currently looking into it."

Staff at St Thomas's Hospital, in south-east London are reportedly relying on back-up power generators.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said the power cut would not cause major problems.

He said: "All NHS hospitals have back up generators. They will be able to cope."
from BBC-online