Disruption between Finsbury Park and London expected until 00:30 

Route(s) affected

Between Brighton and London Kings Cross / Cambridge, and also between Horsham / London Kings Cross and Peterborough

Description

A number of incidents between Finsbury Park and London is causing disruption to journeys between these stations. As a result, trains may be delayed by up to 25 minutes or revised.

This is expected until the 00:30.

Customer advice:

If you are travelling from Cambridge or Peterborough towards London, Horsham, or Brighton, please use an alternative route to complete your journey.

Due to a broken-down freight train, Thameslink services are currently unable to run between Finsbury Park and St Pancras International via the Canal Tunnels into the central London core.

Your journey will take longer than normal. If you have not yet started your journey, we advise delaying travel until later this evening. If you must travel now, please allow at least an extra 45 minutes to reach your destination.

For the latest information, check station screens and use the online journey planners.

Changes to our services:

Peterborough to Horsham: Diverted into London King's Cross instead of running through to Horsham, or cancelled

Cambridge to Brighton: Diverted into London King's Cross instead of running through to Brighton, or cancelled.

Services south of the Thames (between London Blackfriars, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Horsham, and Brighton) will run to an amended timetable or may start/terminate at London Bridge.

Ticket Acceptance:

Your ticket may be used at no extra cost on the following:

• Alternative Thameslink services between Cambridge/Bedford and Brighton

• Alternative Great Northern services between Kings Lynn and London Kings Cross

• Southern services between London Victoria and Three bridges

• London Underground on any reasonable route

• London Buses between London Bridge and Potters Bar

Replacement buses are in operation:

Rail replacement buses are in operation, so you may be able to use these to get to your destination.

These buses will operate on the following routes:

• Hitchin to St Neots

• St Neots to Peterborough

Where possible, schedules for these buses will be shown on our journey planners, so you can see the next services from your station. If not, they'll be under the control of local station teams.

The bus suppliers will be 7 Plus Travel and JJ Coaches.

Changes to services:

Services that usually run between Peterborough and Horsham have been terminated until further notice

Services that usually run between Cambridge and Brighton have been terminated until further notice.

Planning your journey:

You can see live maps of the network here:

- Thameslink live map

- Great Northern live map

These maps will now show where your journey is likely to be delayed.

You can also use the Thameslink or Great Northern apps to get more information about your journey.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Earlier this evening, a freight train developed a mechanical fault between Finsbury Park and St Pancras International, blocking the single-track tunnel connection used by Thameslink services to join the central cross-London core.

Freight trains are significantly heavier and more complex to move than passenger trains. Specialist freight operating fitters and Network Rail mobile response teams are currently on site working to release the train brakes or arrange an assisting locomotive to tow the defective train clear.

Until the freight train is moved clear and the track is confirmed safe, Thameslink services from the Great Northern route cannot enter the core line and are being diverted to platforms at London King's Cross.

Check before you travel:

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

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and drop-off location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.

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.