Disruption between Sutton and Balham / Streatham expected until the end of the day 

Route(s) affected

Southern between Horsham / Dorking and London Victoria

Thameslink between Sutton and St Albans City / Bedford

Description

The emergency services are dealing with an incident in the Mitcham Eastfields are. While they carry out their work all lines between Sutton and Balham / Streatham are closed. As a result, trains may be delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer advice:

The emergency services are dealing with an incident in the Mitcham Eastfields area. It's also been reported there is a trespasser in the same area. This means trains are unable to run through this area until the situations are resolved.

Service Alterations:

• Thameslink services between St Albans City and Sutton via Wimbledon will run between St Albans City and Herne Hill only. If you require stations between Tooting and Sutton you will need to use an alternative route to reach your destination.

• Thameslink services between St Albans City and Sutton via Mitcham Junction will run between St Albans City and Herne Hill only. If you require stations between Mitcham Eastfields and Sutton you will need to use an alternative route to reach your destination.

• Southern services between London Victoria and Horsham will divert via West Croydon. If you require stations between Mitcham Eastfields and Sutton you will need to use an alternative route to reach your destination.

If you're waiting on a train which is delayed between stations:

If your train is delayed between stations, please remain where you are and listen to announcements, or speak to staff for further information.

Please don't leave the train unless you are asked to do so. Other trains may still be moving in the area, and the track is also a very hazardous environment. In areas where the trains are powered by an electric third rail, this usually stays live and dangerous during incidents, and looks the same as other rails.

Ticket Acceptance:

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

• Alternative Thameslink service between East Croydon and St Albans City

• Alternative Southern services between Horsham/Three Bridges and London Victoria

• London Trams services between East and West Croydon, Mitcham and Wimbledon

• London Underground services between all terminals

• London Buses between East Croydon, Wimbledon and Tulse Hill

Please allow at least an extra 30 minutes additional time to complete your journey.

For the latest information, please check station boards or the online journey planners.

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.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Emergency services are dealing with an incident in the Mitcham Eastfields area.

A trespass incident has also been reported.

In this case, trains have needed to stop entirely, as it's not safe to run services. Emergency services and Network Rail responders are attending to make sure the person is removed and the incident is resolved.

Trespassing on the railway is very dangerous. Trains run all day, every day - whether passenger trains, freight trains or specialist engineering work machines. It's not possible to be sure that you can hear when a train is coming, and in many cases, you won't see a train until it is very close to you.

In many areas, trains are powered by an electric third rail, which carries a dangerous electric current. There are also other electrical systems and cables, slippery surfaces, steep drops and other hazards.

Network Rail manage the railway infrastructure, and they're working hard to educate everyone about these dangers and prevent people from accessing the track. You can see their latest safety campaigns here.

As well as the dangers, trespassing on the railway is also illegal, and obstructing the railway can carry severe penalties.

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.

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.