Rail latest: 'Major disruption' expected until end of day after do not travel warning for London line

Southern and Thameslink have said passengers still travelling on their services today should expect journeys to take at least an extra 45 minutes.

There is significant disruption to Thameslink services and some disruption to Southern services, the operators said.

The signal failure causing disruption in south London isn't an isolated incident, according to one of our readers. 

Robert M told us:

The signal failure is irritating as services from London via Gatwick have been disrupted for past 4 weeks to fix this.

You can get in touch with your experience of the rail disruption this morning at news@skynews.com, or you can send us a message on WhatsApp.

Southern has confirmed that no one was injured when one of its trains derailed at a depot in Selhurst.

The operator didn't say if the train was in service when the incident occurred.

Rail lines in the Norwood Junction area are currently blocked as engineers work to clear the ongoing disruption.

"Between 10:30am and 11:00am approximately, a block of the line will be taken in the Norwood Junction area," National Rail said.

Services running on the following routes will divert via Selhurst and not call at London Bridge in both directions:

• Horsham to Peterborough
• Brighton to Bedford

One of the major incidents causing today's disruption is a fault with the signalling system between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars.

Aerial images are coming through of the derailed train at a south London depot.

One of the train's carriages can be seen at a significant angle compared to the others.

Tickets bought by passengers for disrupted services will be accepted on other services at no additional cost, Southern and Thameslink have confirmed.

This includes:

North of London:

• Alternative Thameslink services via any reasonable route
• Alternative Great Northern services via any reasonable route
• East Midland Railway services between Bedford and London St Pancras International

Journeys through London:

• Alternative Thameslink services via any reasonable route
• Alternative Southern services via any reasonable route
• London Buses via any reasonable route between Redhill/Sutton and Central London
• London Underground via any reasonable route
• Elizabeth line between Farringdon and Abbey Wood
• London Trams between Wimbledon, Mitcham Junction and East Croydon

South of London:

• Alternative Thameslink services via any reasonable route
• Alternative Southern services via any reasonable route
• Alternative Great Northern services via any reasonable route
• Gatwick Express services via any reasonable route
• Southeastern services between London Bridge and Sevenoaks / Dartford and between Tonbridge and London Terminals

Departure boards at London Victoria are warning passengers about today's disruption.

A red notice alerts travellers to the delays due to the depot derailment.

The notice says: "All Southern and Gatwick Express services are subject to delay, alteration or cancellation owing to a derailment in a depot. 

"Local buses will accept tickets over any reasonable routes and on Underground services between London terminals."

It also adds that ticket acceptance is in place on London trams between Wimbledon, Mitcham junction and East Croydon. 

Passengers heading to London Gatwick or London Luton airports today have been advised to leave much earlier than planned.

"If you are travelling to Gatwick Airport or Luton Airport Parkway, please allow at least an extra 60 minute for your journey to ensure you make your flight connections," National Rail said.

National Rail has said major disruption affecting services through London Blackfriars is now expected to last until the end of the day.

Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services are all impacted by the disruption.

Passengers have been advised not to travel this morning if at all possible.