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Reasons for Delays and Disruptions

There are over 24,000 trains a day running across the National Rail network. Unfortunately, there will sometimes be circumstances beyond our control that disrupt the smooth running of our services

You can find out more about some of the causes of delays and disruptions below. And rest assured that while we aim to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, passenger safety is always the most important consideration.

Weather and seasonal issues

Services can be affected by:

Find out more about delays.

Infrastructure issues

Services can be affected by:

  • broken or buckled rails

  • landslips

  • damage to overhead line equipment

  • points failure

  • signal power failure

  • telecoms failure

  • track circuit failure

Find out more about delays.

External factors

Services can be affected by:

  • animals on the line

  • bridge strikes

  • cable theft

  • fatalities or a person hit by a train

  • trespass and vandalism

  • lineside fires

Find out more about delays.