London travel news LIVE: Train strikes hit commuters for second day as airport e-gates 'back online'

08/05/2024

Heathrow Express

LIVE – Updated at 11:54

Aslef train strikes have hit the capital’s transport network for a second day in a row.

Fewer London operators are affected on Wednesday but the Heathrow Express and London Northwestern Railway are among them.

On top of this, several of the London operators which saw walkouts on Tuesday are still struggling with delays.

These include Southern, South Western Railway and Thameslink which are expecting late starts or running revised timetables.

Meanwhile a “nationwide issue” with Border Force e-gates that caused chaos at airports across the country into the early hours of Wednesday has been resolved, the Home Office has announced.

Follow the latest updates below…

Metropolitan line delays now severe

11:54 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays between Aldgate and Baker Street due to an earlier faulty train at Farringdon.

Hammersmith and City line delays now severe

11:53 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays between Aldgate East and Baker Street due to an earlier faulty train at Farringdon – minor delays on the rest of the line due to train cancellations.

Severe delays to Circle line

11:52 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays between Aldgate and Baker Street due to an earlier faulty train at Farringdon – good service on the rest of the line.

Four miles of congestion on M25 over Vehicle on fire

11:48 , Jordan King

Three out of four lanes are closed on the M25 anti-clockwise between J6 Godstone and J5 Chipstead due to a vehicle fire.

Delays are around 30 minutes, with about four miles of congestion.

London Overground now severely delayed – no longer suspended

11:00 , Jordan King

The London Overground is severely delayed between Stratford and Richmond / Clapham Junction due to a faulty freight train at Brondesbury – good service on the rest of the line.

Disruption through Gospel Oak

10:30 , Jordan King

A fault on a London Overground train at Brondesbury is causing disruption to services running through Gospel Oak.

As a result of this, trains between Clapham Junction / Richmond and Stratford may be cancelled. Trains between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside may be cancelled or delayed by up to 25 minutes.

These delays are expected until at least 1pm.

TfL warns of serious delays on the A406 North Circular

10:24 , Jordan King

We have already told you about how a crash has left two lanes closed and an eight-mile tailback on the A406 North Circular eastbound.

TfL has updated its website to say the delays are serious, and it has warned drivers to “approach with caution” and “expect long delays”.

Lanes one and two (of three) are still blocked by the collision.

Eight-mile tailback on the North Circular eastbound

10:21 , Jordan King

A crash has left two lanes closed and an eight-mile tailback on the A406 North Circular eastbound.

Traffic is crawling from A112 Chingford Road (Crooked Billet Interchange) to Wadham Road, with congestion spreading from Edmonton back overthe Cooks Ferry Flyover.

Onlookers are also queueing from the M11 Flyover.

M25: Six-mile tailback with one lane closed near Epping

09:39 , Jordan King

A broken down vehicle on the M25 has closed one of four lanes anti-clockwise between J27 (M11 J6 / Epping) and J26 (Waltham Abbey / Loughton).

Traffic monitoring site Inrix shows there is currently a six-mile tailback.

More on this morning’s airport chaos:

09:24 , Jordan King

Social media users shared photos and videos of people stuck at Stansted Airport, waiting for transport.

Huge queues can be seen with many people resorting to sitting on the floor while they wait.

Others can be seen using their jackets as pillows to sleep on the floor.

Victoria line no longer delayed

09:13 , Jordan King

The Victoria line has returned to running a good service.

Elizabeth line no longer disrupted

09:06 , Jordan King

We told you earlier about how a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington caused disruption to journeys through these stations.

This has now cleared up.

Minor delays to Hammersmith and City line

08:56 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays eastbound only due to an earlier faulty train at Barbican – good service westbound.

London Overground part suspended

08:26 , Jordan King

There is currently no service between Stratford and Willesden Junction due to a faulty freight train at Brondesbury – good service on all other routes.

Minor delays to Metropolitan line

08:23 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate while we fix a faulty train at Barbican – good service on the rest of the line.

Disruption to services from St Albans to Sutton/ Elephant & Castle

08:20 , Jordan King

A points failure has been reported in the St Albans area – this is mainly affecting services starting from St Albans to Sutton/ Elephant & Castle.

Crash closes one lane on M25 and causes long delays on M25 and M26

07:53 , Jordan King

There are currently long delays on the M25 clockwise from J2 A2 (Darenth Interchange) to J6 A22 (Godstone) – congestion to a few miles back down the M26.

One lane is closed either side, between J5 M26 and Clacket Lane Services.

Whereclockwise M25 from M25 J2 / A2 / A282 (Darenth Interchange) to M25 J6 / A22 / B2235 (Godstone).

Elizabeth line disrupted

07:48 , Jordan King

A fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington is causing disruption to journeys through these stations. Trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 8.30am.

Road blocked on M25 near Waltham Abbey

07:27 , Jordan King

The road is blocked and causing queuing traffic both ways between A104 Epping New Road (Wake Arms Roundabout) and Woodbine Close (The Woodbine Inn).

This is because of a crash on A121 Woodridden Hill.

Traffic-monitoring site Inrix is reporting a high impact.

Tram part suspended

07:22 , Jordan King

There is no service expected before 7am or after 6pm on the whole of the London Trams network.

Between 7am and 6pm, services will only operate between Wimbledon and Reeves Corner and between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction/New Addington.

Minor delays to Victoria line

07:20 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays due to a shortage of trains.

Minor delays to Northern line

07:20 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays due to a shortage of trains.

If you use a Thameslink train:

07:19 , Jordan King

Services will start later than normal because of yesterday’s strike action.

On top of this, a reduced service will be in operation each day on the following routes:

Peterborough and Horsham via Redhill – one train per hour

Cambridge and Three Bridges via Redhill – one train per hour

Bedford and Brighton – two trains per hour

London Blackfriars and Sutton via Wimbledon – two trains per hour

St Albans and Sutton via Mitcham Eastfields – two trains per hour

Luton and Rainham – one train per hour

London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks – two trains per hour

If you usually commute with South Western Railway:

07:17 , Jordan King

A revised service will run, with short-notice cancellations possible.

Engineering work will also affect your journey.

If you usually commute with Southern Railways:

07:15 , Jordan King

Today’s services may start later than normal, because of yesterday’s strike action.

An amended timetable and a reduced number of trains will be in operation on various routes.

The operator has asked customers to check journey planners, as the departure times and frequencies of these shuttle services will vary throughout the day.

Chaos at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton

07:11 , Jordan King

A “nationwide issue” with Border Force e-gates caused chaos at multiple airports across the country into the early hours of Wednesday.

Images and footage posted on social media showed horrendous queues as passengers waited to have their passports checked at airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.

But this has now been resolved, the Home Office has announced.