Disruption between Hastings and Ashford International expected until 21:00 

Route(s) affected

Between Eastbourne and Ashford International

Description

A fault with the signalling system between Hastings and Ashford International means that all lines are blocked. Trains running between these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 21:00.

Customer advice:

Services that run between Hastings and Ashford will be disrupted by a signalling failure. Trains are currently unable to run through this area. This is also affecting a level crossing in the area.

You can use your existing ticket at no extra cost on Southeastern services between Hastings and Ashford via Tonbridge. Please note this will add at least 30 minutes to your journey. Ensure to take this into account when reaching your destination.

Please ensure to check before you travel using our online journey planners and live departure boards for the latest information.

Planning your journey:

You can see live departure boards, a live map of the network and an alternative route guide.

The Southern app will also help you plan your journey.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Trains are likely to have some disruption due to a fault with a signal in this area. This is also affecting a level crossing in the area. In this case, the signal is unable to show the normal coloured light indications to drivers, and instead, it's showing a red light. This means drivers have to stop at the signal and gain verbal instructions to continue. Your journey will unfortunately take longer as a result.

Railway signals are designed to warn drivers that they have to stop because the system can't yet confirm that the route ahead is clear. In most places, the signalling system will show a green light, or aspect, 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.

Signalling runs on "fail safe" principles, so if the signals can't step through the usual colours, they will instead show a more restrictive colour - for example, red instead of green. This means drivers will have to stop, but in fact, the route ahead may still be clear. This leads to delays.

The signalling system is maintained by Network Rail, and Southern are working closely with them to diagnose the fault and make sure it is fixed as quickly as possible. Until this is done, train services will be closely monitored.

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.