Disruption between Dartford and Slade Green expected until 22:00 

Route(s) affected

between Dartford and Slade Green

Description

A fault with the signalling system between Dartford and Slade Green means that some lines are closed. As a result of this trains will be cancelled in full, revised to only complete part of their journey or be diverted.

Disruption is expected until 22:00.

Southeastern customer advice:

What's happened?

Southeastern have been advised of a fault with part of the signalling system between Slade Green and Dartford. Response staff have been asked to attend. We expect the line to be closed until 22:00

How does this affect my journey?

Trains are unable to run from Dartford to Slade Green. Trains from Dartford via Sidcup and Bexleyheath are not affected. Trains from Slade Green to Dartford are also not affected, but may divert via Bexleyheath or Sidcup on the return journeys towards London.

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 Dartford and Slade Green at no extra cost.

Thameslink customer advice:

Trains are unable to run between Dartford and London Bridge via Abbey Wood. This is only affecting the line towards London Bridge. Passengers travelling between London Bridge and Dartford can travel on their usual route.

Service alterations:

The following changes to services will apply:

• Trains that normally run between Dartford and London Bridge will be diverted via Bexleyheath instead. These services will also call additionally at Bexleyheath and Lewisham. If you require stations between Dartford and Deptford you will need to travel to London Bridge for a connection to your final destination

If you are travelling to one of these stations, please allow at least an extra 45 minutes to reach your destination.

Please check station information boards and check online journey planners for the latest updates.

Ticket acceptance:

You can use your existing ticket at no extra cost on the following services:

• Alternative Thameslink services between Dartford and London Bridge

• Southeastern services between Dartford and London Bridge

• London Buses between Dartford and London Bridge

Planning your journey:

For help planning your journey, check live departure boards, view a live network map or see alternative route guides.

If you’re travelling within London, you can use the TfL Journey Planner.

Stay up to date on the move with Thameslink's WhatsApp channel. Live updates are available Monday to Friday, 07:00–21:00.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

A fault with a signal is affecting trains on the route between Dartford and London Bridge.

Signals tell train drivers when it’s safe to continue into the next section of track. The signalling system will show a green light when the track is clear for a long distance ahead, and drivers will then be shown one or two yellow lights to warn them when they are approaching a red signal. This means that they can anticipate the amount of braking that's required to stop before they reach another train or any form of problem on the line.

If a signal develops a fault, it may be unable to show the normal sequence of coloured lights. The signalling system is designed to keep trains safe when this happens, so the affected signal will show a more restrictive indication. Drivers may need to stop and get permission from the signaller before continuing, or travel at a reduced speed through the affected area.

These additional safety measures mean journeys through the area take longer and can cause trains to queue behind one another. In severe cases, services may need to be cancelled, revised or diverted to prevent delays from building up across the wider network.

Network Rail signalling specialists are investigating the fault and will work to repair the affected equipment. Once the fault has been fixed and the signalling system is working normally, trains will be able to run as usual and the scheduled service can begin to recover.

Ticket flexibility:

If your train is cancelled, you will be able to travel on an alternative service operated by any other participating train company, either two hours before or two hours after the original departure time of the cancelled service, in order to reach your destination.

If you decide not to travel or cannot complete your journey due to cancellations, you are entitled to a full refund from your original point of sale.

For further information and guidance please contact your train company or speak to a member of railway staff.

It is very important that we only include this when relevant. It shouldn't be added in the following instances:

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail 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.