Major disruption is reported on the west London line of Southern Railway services due to staff shortages.

Commuters can expect cancellations and delays to services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes until lunch time on Monday (September 18).

Passengers are advised to use alternative routes on other lines including the London Overground, London Underground or London Midland.

On its website, Southern said the issues were "due to the lack of availability of train crews".

We will be bringing you all the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story as it develops.

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Southern tickets accepted on following routes

As problems continue on Southern services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes, Southern has advised tickets are being accepted on the following routes at no extra cost to passengers:

  • London Midland via Milton Keynes and London Euston (check before travel as some services being affected)
  • London Underground via London Euston and London Victoria/ Clapham Junction
  • London Overground via any reasonable route

Passengers are advised to allow extra time for travel on services and check with the rail operator before they travel for latest updates on services.

It also advised passengers check the London Midland website prior to boarding their services as this incident is also affecting their service.

Emergency repair works add to passenger woes

Disruption between Milton Keynes Central and Watford Junction expected until the end of the day

Damage to the overhead electric wires between Hemel Hempstead and Tring is causing disruption to journeys between these stations Milton Keynes and Watford Junction.

Trains may be delayed by up to 20 minutes or cancelled.

This is expected to continue until the end of the day.

Meanwhile services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes will start and terminate from Watford Junction or Shepherd’s Bush, whilst emergency repairs are carried out to the equipment.

Some services are also cancelled with revised alterations as a result of this.

Problems at Tring

The delays are caused by a shortage of staff on the route between Milton Keynes and East Croydon.

However there are also problems with the overhead wires in the Tring area, according to Southern Rail.

The trains call at Harrow & Wealdstone, Wembley Central, Shepherd’s Bush, Kensington (Olympia), West Brompton and Imperial Wharf in west London.

Reduced service all day

The disruption to services between Milton Keynes and East Croydon - known as the West London line - will affect people travelling throughout the day.

Southern Railway has said it will operate a reduced service until the end of the day.

This is due to shortage of train crew on the route.

As a result there will be cancellations and delays.

Disruption at East Croydon ends

An electrical cooking appliance switched on, onboard a train led to emergency services attending at East Croydon station.

This caused delays to services to London Victoria by up to 20 minutes.

However Southern Rail has said the situation has been dealt with and resolved.


A statement on Southern’s website said:

Earlier today at East Croydon, Emergency Services were in attendance dealing with an incident on a train, as a passenger had left an electrical cooking appliance switched on, on board.

This meant that the train was unable to move until Emergency Services declared the item to be non suspicious.”


However the West London line major disruption continues due to staff shortage.

Updated list of trains disrupted

Here is an update on the train services disrupted on Southern Railway:

11:10 East Croydon to Milton Keynes Central due 13:00

Relief crew have been sourced, this train is now expected to operate as normal from Balham.

11:36 Haywards Heath to Littlehampton due 12:30

Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8 from Haywards Heath.

11:47 London Victoria to Epsom due 12:29

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 6.

11:47 London Victoria to Ore due 13:50

This train will now be formed of the usual number of coaches.
Additional Facilities Information:
Formed of TWELVE carriages from London Victoria with EIGHT carriages then operating beyond Haywards Heath to Eastbourne.

12:13 Milton Keynes Central to East Croydon due 14:01

This train will be cancelled.
This is due to availability of train drivers.

12:36 Haywards Heath to Littlehampton due 13:29

Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8 from Haywards Heath.

12:49 Epsom to London Victoria due 13:31

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 6.

14:51 Littlehampton to Haywards Heath due 15:39

This train will be cancelled.
This is due to availability of train drivers.

14:53 Eastbourne to London Victoria due 16:28

Will be formed of 12 coaches from Eastbourne.
This is due to availability of train drivers.

Southern's London Victoria services affected

There are delays to services between East Croydon and London Victoria due to an incident on a train at East Croydon.

The problem is currently investigation, Southern Railway said on its website.

Although trains have resumed, services could be delayed up to 20 minutes with disruptions expected until midday.

Customers are advised to check before they travel.

Other London services operating with half number of carriages

While disruptions continue on the West London line here is an update of other services to and from London railways stations affected on Southern routes:

10:44 London Bridge to London Victoria due 11:40

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 6.

11:47 London Victoria to Epsom due 12:29

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 6.

12:36 Haywards Heath to Littlehampton due 13:29

Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 8 from Haywards Heath.

12:49 Epsom to London Victoria due 13:31

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 6.

Major disruption continues

The morning rush hour for commuters using Southern Railway services was dampened by delays and cancellations.

The service continues to run with major disruption on the West London line until at least 12.30pm.

For further information visit the Southern website.

There is a good service on all other lines operated by the railway.

Tickets accepted on other routes

Southern is advising customers to check before they travel due to lack of train crews causing cancellations and delays to services on Monday morning.


Tickets are being accepted via other reasonable routes on:

  • London Midland via Milton Keynes Central and London Euston.
  • London Overground via London Euston and London Victoria.
  • London Underground


Relief crews sourced

Southern Railway has sourced relief crew to assist running of services on its West London line.

As a result the following service will now be in operation:

The 11.10am from East Croydon to Milton Keynes Central:

This train is now expected to operate as normal from Balham.

However the 12.13pm from Milton Keynes Central to East Croydon has been cancelled.

West London line disruption

Train running between East Croydon and Milton Keynes are being disrupted due to shortage of train crews including drivers.

West London line on Southern Railway is disrupted due to shortage of train crews(Image: Southern Railway )

List of trains cancelled

Southern has said the following train services have been cancelled or altered due to lack of train drivers and crew.

08:13 Milton Keynes Central to East Croydon due 10:01

This train will be cancelled.
This is due to availability of train drivers.

09:13 Milton Keynes Central to East Croydon due 11:01

This train will be cancelled.
This is due to availability of train crew.

10:10 East Croydon to Milton Keynes Central due 12:00

This train will be cancelled.
This is due to availability of train drivers.

11:10 East Croydon to Milton Keynes Central due 13:00

This train will be started from Balham.
This train will no longer call at East Croydon, Selhurst, Thornton Heath, Norbury and Streatham Common.
This is due to availability of train crew.

Southern Services statement

Southern Services has stated on its website:

Due to the lack of availability of train crew between East Croydon and Milton Keynes Central, train services running through these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 12:30.”

Disruption expected till lunchtime

Disruption to services between East Croydon and Milton Keynes Central are expected run until around 12.30pm.