A train pulling into the platform at Hackney Downs station
A broken rail was found at Hackney Downs station (Picture: Sinai Noor/REX/Shutterstock)

A broken railway line in London is set to wreak havoc all day, including on trains to Stansted Airport.

The Overground, Stansted Express and Greater Anglia trains running through Hackney Downs could be cancelled or diverted after the broken track in east London.

Trains between Liverpool Street and Seven Sisters, Cheshunt and Chingford are likely to be hampered until the end of the day.

The issue was discovered overnight, and the ‘extent of the damage meant that the repair work could not be completed in time for the start of service today,’ a National Rail spokesperson explained.

Elsewhere, the M6 has partially reopened after a lorry crashed off the Thelwall Viaduct bridge in Warrington, leaving the driver injured.

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October 1, 2024 11:21 am

Stranded cruise ship forced to turn back just hours after setting sail

The luxury Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship has made headlines again after it was stranded for months at Belfast Harbour.

After finally setting sail last night, it was forced to turn back suddenly.

Are you on board? We’re keen to hear from you so please email [email protected].

October 1, 2024 9:48 am

Theft of signalling cables sparks 60-minute train delays

Signal faults are often to blame for delays and cancellations on the rail network.

But this time thieves are behind major disruption in the Mexborough area, South Yorkshire.

They snatched signalling cables, meaning some lines are now blocked at least until 11am.

Trains running between Doncaster and Sheffield could be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised, National Rail said.

This is affecting CrossCountry, Northern and TransPennine Express services.

October 1, 2024 9:07 am

What is Name Your Car Day and when is it?

You might have spotted personalised register plates ranging from bizarre to rude on UK roads.

But have you thought about the endearing names many drivers call their cars?

New figures have revealed that a third of UK drivers (36%) have given a pet name to their vehicle.

Aidan Rusby, CEO of Carmoola who commissioned the study, said: ‘Millions of motorists give their car a name.

‘For most, it’s just a bit of fun but some owners stress over their choice and even about how it could affect their relationship with their car.’

The motoring expert said many more would like to do so, but are unsure how to name their trusty four-wheeled.

Here are seven tips from Joel Stein, a car-naming consultant, on how to name your car ahead of the National Name Your Car Day tomorrow.

  • Choose a name that reflects the car’s so-called personality and your own
  • Consider the car’s colour, make, size and features
  • Check out your number plate for inspiration and ideas
  • Use rhyming and alliteration like ‘Yoda the Skoda’ or ‘Neo the Clio’
  • Repeat the name out loud to hear how it rolls off the tongue
  • Keep the process light-hearted and go with your gut
  • And finally, make it meaningful – this could be after your favourite band, celebrity or a place
October 1, 2024 8:43 am

Long delays on the M25 near Watford after crash

Drivers on the M25 should allow extra time for their journeys this morning along with patience after a crash between junction J21 and J19.

While the worst of the crash has been cleared, it is still causing residual delays on the anticlockwise carriageway.

Inrix warned of congestion to the A41 back to Leavesden, from Kings Langley, via Watford and Rickmansworth.

Traffic is also heavy on the M1 to junction J5 of Watford, the latest traffic alert shows.

October 1, 2024 8:30 am

Faulty signal delays trains on Salisbury railway line

October 1, 2024 8:06 am

ICYMI – Lorry crashes off bridge

Up Next

A truck driver had a narrow escape after the lorry fell 196 feet off a bridge in Warrington.

Traffic on the M6 ground to a halt last night after the lorry fell off the Thelwall Viaduct and smashed into the ground.

The driver was taken to hospital with injuries but they are not thought to be life-threatening.

Dramatic footage from the scene shows the mangled lorry on the bottom of the bridge.

Firefighters used specialist equipment to stop around 1,000 litres of bio-diesel leaking into the environment.

The motorway has since reopened for traffic, but two lanes remain closed northbound this morning for emergency barrier repairs.

October 1, 2024 7:39 am

Travel advice to Stansted Express during disruption

Stansted Express train on a station platform.
Stansted Express trains will be diverted and journeys could take longer as a result (Picture: Greater Anglia)

Greater Anglia and Stansted Express trains cannot run between London Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale via Hackney downs.

While those travelling from Stansted Airport should be able get into Liverpool Street station, passengers going there from central London face issues.

Here are the trains that will be diverted via Seven Sisters.

  • Stansted Express from London London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport
  • London Liverpool Street to Hertford East

And this service will be rerouted via a longer route to Tottenham Hale.

  • London Liverpool Street to Cambridge North

Have you been affected by the disruption today? Please email [email protected].

October 1, 2024 7:00 am

Latest London Underground status updates

  • Severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals/Reading while Network Rail fix a points failure at Southall. Good service on the rest of the line. Tickets are being accepted on local bus services.
  • No service between Hackney Downs and Chingford, and severe delays between Liverpool Street/Cheshunt and Enfield Town while we fix a track fault at Hackney Downs. Good service on all other routes.
  • Minor delays between Hyde Park Corner and Cockfosters eastbound only while we fix a track fault at Piccadilly Circus. Good service on the rest of the line.
  • Minor delays between Wimbledon and Edgware Road while Network Rail fix a signal failure at East Putney. Good service on the rest of the line.
October 1, 2024 6:50 am

Full list of routes affected by Hackney Downs broken rail

  • between London Liverpool Street and Hertford East/Stansted Airport/Cambridge/Cambridge North/Ely
  • between London Liverpool Street and Enfield Town/Cheshunt/Chingford
  • between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport
October 1, 2024 6:48 am

National Rail statement on broken rail in full

‘A broken rail was found at Hackney Downs overnight last night.

‘The extent of the damage meant that the repair work could not be completed in time for the start of service today.

‘An altered service plan will operate today.

‘Network Rail staff will be attending the site of the broken rail at the end of service, and will work to carry out the necessary repairs overnight tonight.’

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