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As it happenedended

UK power cuts - live updates: Nearly one million people affected by major outages across country with trains, airports and traffic lights impacted

Conrad Duncan
Friday 09 August 2019 18:11 BST
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Power cuts london and south east hit by massive national grid failure as traffic lights go down

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The UK was hit by a massive power cut on Friday, as traffic lights were knocked out, trains came to a standstill and aircraft were grounded during rush hour.

Large parts of the country were without electricity following the power cut, utility suppliers said, with outages reported in the North West, South West, the Midlands and Wales.

The UK Power Networks tweeted on Friday evening: "We're aware of a power cut affecting large parts of London and South East.

"We believe this is due to a failure on National Grid's network, which is affecting our customers."

Train services in and out of London, including Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express saw delays and cancellations on Friday evening.

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Traffic lights in the capital were also experiencing some problems and the Victoria Line on the London Underground was suspended, Transport for London said.

They tweeted on Friday evening warning people to be cautious when using the roads.

For anyone who hasn’t been adding up the numbers, nearly one million people have been affected by today’s massive power cut.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 19:45

An eye-witness has described the situation at Kings Cross Station as “absolute mayhem”.

Zoe Hebblethwaite told the Press Association that she had been stuck for almost two hours after the station was forced to close due to the power cut.

"Outside Kings Cross Station is absolute mayhem - nobody knows anything, nobody can find an assistant to speak to at this point,” she said at about 7.30pm.

"No commuters are allowed in... There is so much confusion."

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 19:58

East Midlands Trains are now saying they are not expecting any services to depart from London St Pancras for the rest of the night.

Customers are being advised to “make their own way forward”.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 20:03

National Rail has now confirmed there will be no travel from London St Pancras International this evening.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 20:05

The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has released an updated statement on the power cut.

They said the outage was caused by “the loss of two generators that connect to the GB transmission system, which led to a fall in the frequency of the electricity system.”

You can find a more detailed description by Julian Leslie, from the National Grid ESO, below.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 20:27

British Transport Police have also released an update, warning passengers not to leave train services when they are not at a station.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 20:33

Passengers who have had to order a taxi to get home due to the power cut will be reimbursed for the cost, according to National Rail.

More details are below.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 20:56

There were also transport issues in the North West today due to the outage.

Thankfully, Merseyrail have just announced that services on the Wirral Line have been restored.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 21:00

Here are some images from earlier in the day, when London's Clapham Junction and Kings Cross Station were hit by the power cut.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 21:59

It's all calmed down a bit now but East Midlands Trains has said there is still disruption on the Sheffield, Nottingham and London route.

Jon di Paolo9 August 2019 22:01

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