London Euston travel chaos as points failure causes cancellations and delays

The failures have caused widespread disruption as travellers could not come in or out of the station

Train passengers using London’s Euston station faced travel chaos on Sunday after a points failure blocked all lines.

The fault affected journeys in and out of the busy rail hub, with cancellations, delays and reports of passengers stuck on trains.

One traveller described the ‘utter chaos’ of her journey when travelling from Milton Keynes to Euston, her journey which was supposed to take one hour took four.

The lines have now reopened but travel problems continued into the early afternoon.

A Network Rail spokesperson said earlier: “A points failure at London Euston means all lines are blocked.

“As a result, trains running to / from this station may be cancelled or delayed by up to 90 minutes.

“We’re sorry for the disruption to services in and out of London Euston earlier today while our engineers repaired a fault with the signalling system in the area. Lines have now reopened but while train times return to normal we’d advise passengers to check before they travel by using National Rail Enquiries.”

❗❗A points failure at #LondonEuston means all lines are blocked.❗❗

ℹ As a result, trains running to / from this station may be cancelled or severely delayed by up to 90 minutes.

🕐Major disruption is expected to continue until 13:00.

— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) October 15, 2023

Customers have documented the disruption across social media as travellers were caught up in crowded carriages and stuck on platforms attempting to reach or leave Euston station.

Some football fans travelling to the Women’s Super League Arsenal versus Aston Villa game were left disappointed as delays meant they would miss the 3.30 pm kick-off at Emirates Stadium.

The delays and cancellations also held up fans of American football who are making their way to watch the Tennessee Titans take on the Baltimore Ravens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a 2.30pm kick-off.

Advice to passengers

Avanti West Coast

Passengers using Avanti West Coast services can use their ticket on CrossCountry between Reading/Leicester and Birmingham New Street at no extra cost, any reasonable route on East Midlands Railway, LNER between Kings Cross and Edinburgh, Northern between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly and TransPenine Express via any reasonable route.

London Northwestern Railway

Those travelling on LNER services can use Avanti West Coast services via any reasonable route.

Passengers travelling to and from London St Pancras International can use East Midlands Railway and Thameslink between Bedford and Wellingborough.

London Overground

Train services between Watford Junction and London Euston may be terminated at and started back from Kilburn High Road. London Euston will not be served.

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