Delays on East Coast Main Line

Feb 16 2007 By Journal reporter

Rail passengers faced travel chaos tonight after fallen overhead power cables caused severe delays on the East Coast Main Line.

People leaving or visiting London for the weekend were warned to postpone their journeys or find an alternative route after three electricity lines came down north of Huntingdon, Cambs.

Engineers were mobilised to fix the problem, but Network Rail warned the cables were unlikely to be repaired until tomorrow morning.

Trains on the East Coast Main Line - linking London King’s Cross and Edinburgh - were halted between St Neots, Cambs, and Peterborough.

GNER, which operates services between King’s Cross and Scotland, warned delays of at least 90 minutes were likely and advised passengers not to travel today unless it was essential.

Travellers can take a First Capital Connect train from King’s Cross to St Neots, then a replacement bus to Peterborough, from where GNER trains are continuing to run.

A spokesman said: "Our advice to GNER passengers is don’t travel today. If you do, expect delays.

"Tickets for GNER services valid today will be accepted tomorrow without restriction."

A Network Rail spokeswoman said the cause of the lines coming down was as yet unknown but a team of engineers was working to fix it.

She added: "It’s a crucial stretch of track. The general message is we’re investigating what happened but it is unlikely to be repaired until tomorrow morning.

"At this point we would warn passengers they will face severe delays."

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