Incident resolved: disruption between Shortlands and Orpington / Swanley expected until 22:00 

Route(s) affected

Southeastern between London Victoria and Orpington / Gillingham (Kent) / Ashford International / Dover Priory / Ramsgate, and also between London Blackfriars and Rochester / Maidstone East

Thameslink between Luton / Kentish Town / London Blackfriars and Orpington, and also between Welwyn Garden City / Finsbury Park / London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks

Description

A trespasser on the railway earlier today at Bromley South has caused disruption to journeys through this station. Trains running between Shortlands and Orpington / Swanley may still cancelled, delayed by up to 80 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 22:00.

Southeastern customer advice:

What's happened?

Southeastern have been made aware of safety inspections taking place in the Bromley South area earlier. The power was switched off to allow response staff a safe access to the railway. The inspection has now finished and a trespasser has been apprehended by British Transport Police and the power is now back on.

Trains can now resume running through the area around Bromley South, but Southeastern expect some delays and alterations while Southeastern work to resume normal service.

What should I do?

Please allow extra time to complete your journey and check before you travel. You can use your ticket at no extra cost on London Buses between Central London and Orpington.

Thameslink customer advice:

If you are travelling in the Bromley South area, you can use your normal route, but please allow an extra 20 minutes to complete your journey.

All lines have now reopened and services are resuming, but residual delays, cancellations, and short-notice revisions may continue while trains return to their booked timetables.

Planning your journey:

You can see the live departure boards, and view a live map of the network.

You can also view an alternative route guide.

You can use the Thameslink app to find up-to-date information.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Earlier today, a trespass incident was reported in the Bromley South area. For safety reasons, power to the track was switched off and trains were stopped immediately while emergency services and Network Rail responders attended to safely remove the person from the railway.

Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous and illegal. In addition to high-speed passenger and freight services, the third rail carries a dangerous electric current at all times.

The person has now been safely removed, the track has been cleared, and lines have reopened.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.