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Tuesday 24 Jan 2017

UPDATE and VIDEO: Southeastern passengers urged to check before travelling as recovery continues following Lewisham freight train derailment

Region & Route:

| Southern

Southeastern passengers are being advised to check before travelling after two wagons of a 1km-long freight train derailed at Lewisham. Train services across the network continue to be disrupted and changes to services will remain in place throughout tomorrow (Wednesday) as the recovery efforts continue.

Network Rail engineers are on site working to re-rail the two wagons so the train can be moved and a full assessment of any damage and repairs can be made. Early indications are that services through the affected area will be unable to resume tomorrow, though we will be able to provide a more robust assessment during the course of the day.

Southeastern services from Hayes to London Charing Cross will run as normal but are unable to call at Lewisham. There are no trains calling at New Eltham, Mottingham or Lee, and a limited service is running between Dartford and Sidcup. Those travelling to/from these stations are advised to use London buses where tickets will be accepted.

Passengers travelling to Tunbridge Wells will need to travel from Victoria instead of Charing Cross where trains will now depart – those coming into London from Tunbridge Wells will also arrive into Victoria.

The following services will now depart from Blackfriars:

• 17:08 Cannon Street to Dover Priory
• 17:30 Cannon Street to Broadstairs
• 18:12 Cannon Street to Ramsgate

Due to these diversions there is a very limited service from these stations:

• Dunton Green
• Knockholt
• Chelsfield
• Grove Park
• Elmstead Woods
• Chislehurst

All other routes will run as normal though passengers are still advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. Those delayed by more than 30 minutes or more as a result of this issue will also be able to claim Delay Repay compensation which will be doubled by Southeastern.

Andy Derbyshire, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s South East route, said: “Our number one priority is to get the freight train moved and passenger services up and running again.

“Once the derailed carriages have been moved, we'll be able to complete our inspections and finalise the repairs needed to the tracks and signalling equipment, including how long the work will take. We’re doing everything we can to get this situation sorted quickly and will be working round-the-clock to get services back to normal for passengers.”

Richard Dean, Train Services Director at Southeastern, added: “We’re working hard to ensure that we can keep passengers moving. We’re diverting some services to Victoria and Blackfriars, and where we cannot run trains we have put in place ticket acceptance on other routes including London buses and London Underground.

“We’ll continue to regularly update passengers at stations and online, including on Twitter where our team will be sharing the most up-to-date information, so we advise passengers to continue to check before they travel. We’ll also be doubling the Delay Repay compensation available to anyone who has been delayed for 30 minutes or more as a result of this issue. To claim Delay Repay please visit our website or pick up a form at a station.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

Please note, Southeastern has opted to double the 'Delay Repay' payment for all affected by this incident.

For the latest information, passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or Southeastern at southeasternrailway.co.uk or @Se_Railway on Twitter.

The incident occurred at around 5.30am today (Tuesday) between Hither Green and Lewisham stations.

The train consists of a locomotive hauling 18 wagons and is approximately 1,000m long. The rear two wagons only have derailed and no people were on board the train other than the driver.