Media centre

Wednesday 3 Jun 2015

Statement - cancellations likely after freight train incident in South East London

Region & Route:

| Southern

Services to Greenwich and Dartford are disrupted this evening following an incident with a freight train near Charlton.

At around 12.15pm today, three wagons on an empty freight train derailed as it made its way from freight sidings at Angerstein Wharf onto the railway from Greenwich to Charlton.

Trains will begin running through Greenwich and Charlton again by 4pm, following a period of closure this afternoon. However the line from Blackheath to Charlton remains blocked and cancellations are likely this evening (Wednesday).

Southeastern passengers can use their tickets on appropriate Transport for London routes, including the DLR, but are encouraged to check before they travel as it may be busy.

Network Rail is working to move the derailed wagons as soon as possible, however once they are moved, repairs will also need to be made to the railway.

As a result, the line between Blackheath and Charlton is likely to remain closed for the rest of today and potentially tomorrow morning (Thursday).

An investigation has begun into the causes of the derailment.

Notes:

The freight train was run by operator GBRF and was travelling from Angerstein Wharf to Pengam in Wales.

The line through Greenwich will reopen when the non-derailed section of the train can be moved clear.