Passengers heading to London say they have been “dumped back” at the station they started at due to a broken down train.
Just after 7am, Southeastern bosses posted on X that a failure of electricity supply meant trains around Ashford were being delayed.
They then said services were unable to run towards St Pancras from Ashford International because of a broken down train between Ashford and Ebbsfleet.
A limited high-speed service was brought into action but commuters have reported the service being “beyond disruption” hours on.
Laura Archer wrote on X that she, alongside other commuters on the 6.30am service from Ashford to St Pancras, were “dumped” back at Ashford International.
“Absolute CHAOS Southeastern Railway with the 6.30am from Ashford to St Pancras going out of service due to a power fault before even reaching Ebbsfleet,” she wrote.
“Told at 7.44am a rescue train was coming, still (at 8:18) currently stuck on the train in a stand, with no signs of moving.
“To be fair it is beyond disruption now.
“We pay a fortune to commute every single day, it shouldn’t take this long to rectify an issue, particularly at peak time and to then dump people back at Ashford to start over isn’t really good enough.
“Ten mins until the engineers will be here, then goodness knows how long until they can actually attach the rear six to the rescue train… then still to wait for the second rescue train to collect the front six…unbelievable scenes from Southeastern Railway.”
In their most recent post on X, railway bosses said services between Ashford and St Pancras remain severely disrupted because of the broken-down train.
“Alternative routes are available on trains via Tonbridge or Maidstone East; tickets are being accepted on the Tube at no extra cost,” they added.
More as we get it.
