Train services to and from London Waterloo are facing significant disruption today as a higher-than-usual number of trains require repairs, leading to fewer services being available on key routes.
According to National Rail Enquiries, services between Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, and between Waterloo and Yeovil Junction via Salisbury and Westbury, may be cancelled, revised or operate with reduced carriages.
Several specific trains have been affected, with multiple cancellations scheduled throughout the day. Some services that would normally run between these destinations are either not operating or will terminate early, and others will run with amended stopping patterns.
Passengers are being advised to check before travelling as disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day. Where possible, alternative routes and operators may be available at no extra cost to ticket holders. Those affected are also reminded to retain tickets if claiming compensation for delayed journeys.
Follow the latest updates below...
Disruption between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey expected until the end of the day
15:58 , Nuray BulbulA fault on the train which runs between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey means that trains between these stations may be cancelled.
Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.
Delays on the A23
15:41 , Nuray BulbulTraffic is slow moving from all directions.
There are southbound delays on Purley Way from Trafalgar Way junction and northbound delays back to Waddon Way.
Heathrow Express providing a good service
15:26 , Nuray BulbulHeathrow Express services are running on time.
Major disruption between Newcastle and York expected until 5pm
15:08 , Nuray BulbulA signalling failure between Darlington and Northallerton has blocked all lines in the area. This is causing cancellations, alterations and delays of up to an hour for trains travelling between Newcastle and York.
Northern services operating from Bishop Auckland through Darlington towards Middlesbrough are running as normal and are not impacted. Significant disruption is expected to last until around 5pm.
Routes impacted
- CrossCountry services between Aberdeen / Edinburgh and Plymouth, between Edinburgh and Cardiff Central, and also between Newcastle and Reading / Southampton Central
- LNER services between Inverness / Aberdeen / Edinburgh / Newcastle and London Kings Cross
- Lumo services between Edinburgh / Glasgow Queen Street and London Kings Cross
- TransPennine Express services between Newcastle and Leeds
Amendments to some late night Southeastern trains
14:57 , Nuray BulbulTuesdays only:
Every Tuesday night, Network Rail carry out essential maintenance on the lines between Faversham and Ramsgate via Margate.
From 23:30 until the end of service, buses replace trains between Faversham and Margate / Ramsgate.
Wednesdays and Thursdays:
Every Wednesday and Thursday night, Network Rail carry out essential maintenance on the lines to / from London Cannon Street.
There will be no trains at London Cannon Street from approximately 23:35 until the end of service.
Trains will run to / from London Charing Cross instead, if you could please make your way to London Bridge for these trains.
Reduced service on the Woolwich Ferry
14:37 , Nuray BulbulWoolwich Ferry is running a one-vessel service to allow for essential statutory emergency drills to be undertaken.
Your journey may be quicker if you use alternative river crossings at Dartford, Blackwall, Silvertown or Rotherhithe. For shorter journeys across the river, use the Woolwich Foot Tunnel or the DLR between King George V and Woolwich Arsenal.
No Stansted Express services running on Christmas Day
14:17 , Nuray BulbulThere will be no train service on Thursday, December 25 on Christmas Day.
Delays of 10 minutes on A12 northbound
13:50 , Nuray BulbulThere is congestion on the A12 northbound entry slip at Junction 17, causing delays of around 10 minutes compared to normal journey times.
Major engineering work during the Christmas and New Year period
13:36 , Nuray BulbulThere are no National Rail services on Christmas Day as usual this year.
On Boxing Day most train operators will have no service - however, there will be a limited train service operated by Chiltern Railways, London Overground, Merseyrail, ScotRail, Southern and Stansted Express only.
Major disruption between Newcastle and York expected until 3pm
13:17 , Nuray BulbulA fault with the signalling system between Darlington and Northallerton means all lines are blocked. As a result, trains running between Newcastle and York may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Northern services from Bishop Auckland that run through Darlington towards Middlesbrough are not affected by this disruption.
Major disruption is expected to continue until 3pm.
Routes impacted
- CrossCountry services between Aberdeen / Edinburgh and Plymouth, between Edinburgh and Cardiff Central, and also between Newcastle and Reading / Southampton Central
- LNER services between Inverness / Aberdeen / Edinburgh / Newcastle and London Kings Cross
- Lumo services between Edinburgh / Glasgow Queen Street and London Kings Cross
- TransPennine Express services between Newcastle and Leeds
Severe delays on the M6 after crash near Stoke-on-Trent
13:02 , Nuray BulbulDrivers using the M6 today should be prepared for severe disruption around Cheshire and Staffordshire.
Problems began late morning after a crash reported at 11:48am, with traffic grinding to a halt between Stoke-on-Trent junctions 15 and 16.
The Standard’s picture editor Gareth, who was caught up in the congestion near Sandbach Services, described southbound traffic as “pretty much at a standstill” with vehicles only creeping forward intermittently.
Delays are estimated at around 40 minutes to an hour, with long periods of stationary traffic.
If you’re travelling this route, it’s worth allowing extra time, considering alternative routes, or stopping off until traffic eases.
Late evening services on the Stansted Express diverted
12:49 , Nuray BulbulDue to planned maintenance works, this evening, the 23:28 and 23:43 Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street will no longer stop at Seven Sisters Station, instead these trains will be diverted to stop at Tottenham Hale Station.
Delays on the A13
12:30 , Nuray BulbulA13 westbound exit slip to the M25 is seeing congestion due to a broken down vehicle.
Normal traffic conditions are expected between 13:15 and 13:30
Reminder of services amended to and from London Waterloo
12:14 , Nuray Bulbul- 14:50 London Waterloo to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 20:52 Salisbury to London Waterloo will be cancelled
- 22:50 London Waterloo to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 17:23 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids will be revised to run non-stop from London Waterloo to Salisbury due to fewer carriages than normal
- 18:50 London Waterloo to Yeovil Pen Mill will be revised to run non-stop from London Waterloo to Andover due to fewer carriages than normal
Good service continues on London Underground lines
11:53 , Nuray BulbulThere is a good service being provided on London Underground lines.
Amended Gatwick Express services
11:36 , Nuray BulbulAll day today, trains will run to an amended and reduced timetable for the festive period due to planned engineering work.
Check the timetable on the Gatwick Express website before committing to your journey.
Heathrow Express running smoothly
11:19 , Nuray BulbulHeathrow Express is running smoothly today, providing fast and reliable journeys between Heathrow Airport and central London.
No trains between West Ealing and Greenford until approximately 1pm
11:07 , Nuray BulbulA points fault at Greenford has blocked the line, resulting in the cancellation of trains between West Ealing and Greenford.
Disruption is expected to continue until 1pm.
Delays on the A205
10:46 , Nuray BulbulDelays on Catford Hill at the junction of Stanstead Road.
There are temporary traffic signals in operation to facilitate electricity works.
Cutty Sark station closed until 2026
10:38 , Nuray BulbulThis station is closed until spring 2026, while TfL replace all four escalators at the station.
Use nearby Greenwich DLR station to complete your journey.
Disruption on Thameslink services between St Albans City and West Hampstead Thameslink expected until 11am
10:16 , Nuray BulbulA points failure at Cricklewood means that some lines are blocked.
As a result, Thameslink services running between St Albans City and West Hampstead Thameslink may be delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 11am.
Amendments to some late night Southeastern trains
10:00 , Nuray BulbulTuesdays only:Every Tuesday night, Network Rail undertakes essential maintenance on the routes between Faversham and Ramsgate via Margate. From 23:30 until the end of service, buses will replace trains between Faversham and Margate / Ramsgate.
Wednesdays and Thursdays:Every Wednesday and Thursday night, Network Rail carries out essential maintenance on the lines to and from London Cannon Street. From approximately 23:35 until the end of service, there will be no trains calling at London Cannon Street. Services will instead run to and from London Charing Cross, and passengers should travel via London Bridge to connect with these trains.
Good service on the London Underground
09:41 , Nuray BulbulGood service continues on the London Underground.
Disruption between London Paddington and Worcester Shrub Hill expected until 10:00
09:22 , Nuray BulbulLines have now reopened after the emergency services completed their work after dealing with an incident between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill.
Whilst service recovers, trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 10am.
Reduced service on the Woolwich Ferry
09:09 , Nuray BulbulWoolwich Ferry is running a one-vessel service to allow for essential statutory emergency drills to be undertaken.
Your journey may be quicker if you use alternative river crossings at Dartford, Blackwall, Silvertown or Rotherhithe.
For shorter journeys across the river, use the Woolwich Foot Tunnel or the DLR between King George V and Woolwich Arsenal.
Amended late night London Northwestern Railway services to and from Bushey
08:57 , Nuray BulbulEngineering work is taking place between London Euston and Berkhamsted, closing some lines.
The following services will be amended:
Tuesday:
- 23:42 London Euston to Northampton will call at Bushey to drop off only
Wednesday:
- 00:09 London Euston to Northampton will call at Bushey to drop off only
- 00:39 London Euston to Northampton will not call at Bushey
Cambridge Heath station to close early
08:38 , Nuray BulbulThe station closes at 23:35 each evening.
Last trains will call at 22:50 (from Liverpool Street to Cheshunt), 23:05 (from Liverpool Street to Enfield Town), 23:19 (from Enfield Town to Liverpool Street) and 23:34 (from Cheshunt to Liverpool Street).
Very limited replacement buses operate southbound at 00:48 (from Enfield Town to Liverpool Street) and 01:19 (from Cheshunt to Liverpool Street)
Delays on Bishopsgate Cross Route
08:23 , Nuray BulbulDelays on King William Street (southbound) at the junction of Lombard Street.
Road closed to facilitate urban realm works.
Disruption between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill expected until 08:30
08:07 , Nuray BulbulLines have now reopened after the emergency services completing their work after dealing with an incident between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill.
Whilst service recovers, trains running between stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 08:30am.
Good service on the IFS Cloud Cable Car
07:51 , Nuray BulbulThere is a good service being provided on the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
Holloway Road Station will be partly closed today
07:40 , Nuray BulbulHolloway Road Station will be closed eastbound between 19:00 and 20:00, and will be exit only for westbound services.
During return traffic the station will be closed at 21:40 approximately and will be kept closed until 23:10 approximately.
Delays are possible on Brixton Road
07:28 , Nuray BulbulDelays are possible at the junction of Villa Road. Southbound Bus lane closure and a road closure of Villa Road due to emergency water works.
Good service on all London Underground lines
07:19 , Nuray BulbulNo disruption on the London Underground at this time.
Waterloo station facing disruption to services today
07:07 , Nuray BulbulAs a result of the disruption the following services have been amended:
- 10:50 London Waterloo to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 12:47 Salisbury to London Waterloo will be cancelled
- 12:51 Salisbury to Yeovil Junction will be cancelled
- 13:38 Yeovil Junction to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 14:50 London Waterloo to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 14:51 Yeovil Junction to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 20:52 Salisbury to London Waterloo will be cancelled
- 22:50 London Waterloo to Salisbury will be cancelled
- 09:50 London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction will finish at Salisbury
- 17:23 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids will be revised to run non-stop from London Waterloo to Salisbury due to fewer carriages than normal
- 18:50 London Waterloo to Yeovil Pen Mill will be revised to run non-stop from London Waterloo to Andover due to fewer carriages than normal
Thank you for joining us
Monday 22 December 2025 11:12 , Tom PlaceThat’s the end of our live coverage for today - thank you for following along.
Tube update
Monday 22 December 2025 10:39 , Tom PlaceThere is now a good service on the Northern line.
There are minor delays on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington & Heathrow Terminals while Network Rail deal with a points failure at Acton Main Line.
Northern line update
Monday 22 December 2025 08:58 , Tom PlaceThere are now only minor delays on the whole Northern line, and a good service elsewhere on the network.
Still severe delays
Monday 22 December 2025 08:04 , Tom PlaceThe Northern line remains severely delayed across the whole line.
We’ll let you know when this changes.
Tube update
Monday 22 December 2025 07:24 , Tom PlaceOther than the severe delays on the whole of the Northern line, the rest of the Tube and overground network is currently running with a good service - we’ll let you know if this changes.
Good Morning
Monday 22 December 2025 07:16 , Tom PlaceHello everyone - we will be keeping you updated on all the latest travel information throughout the morning.
