King's Cross Station Hit By More Problems

London's King's Cross station was hit by more problems today as an investigation was launched into disruption caused by overrunning engineering work.

A number of trains out of King's Cross were cancelled and other services delayed after a signalling failure this afternoon.

The failure meant that some Great Northern services from the station were cancelled, while incoming trains ended their journeys at Finsbury Park.

A Great Northern spokeswoman said: "At approximately 13.30 this afternoon signalling problems were experienced in the Finsbury Park area, resulting in no trains being able to run in and out of London King's Cross.

"Several trains terminated at Finsbury Park and Welwyn Garden City. Rail replacement buses were organised for passengers to transport them across to the Thameslink route, where ticket acceptance was in place.

"Signalling was restored at 14.15. Customers may have been affected by residual delays of up to 60 minutes whilst the service recovered.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that Great Northern's customers may have experienced."

Today's problems follow major disruption yesterday when King's Cross and Paddington stations were closed because engineering works ran over schedule.

Both stations have since reopened and services from Paddington were running as planned, a Network Rail spokeswoman said.

Network Rail's Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations, apologised for yesterday's disruption which led to extra police being brought in to control crowds.

"I'm deeply sorry for the delays, upset and upheaval caused... to passengers impacted by our overrunning improvement work outside King's Cross," he said.

"We've had an army of 11,000 engineers out over Christmas Day and Boxing Day at 2,000 locations nationwide.

"Over 90% have been completed and handed back to time but I realise this is no consolation for the thousands affected."

Paddington, one of London's busiest stations, was closed for much of Saturday as trains were cancelled or delayed.

Hundreds of passengers intending to use King's Cross were instead rerouted to Finsbury Park station in north London.

George Hallam, a lecturer from Lewisham, was among the crowds waiting to get on a train.

"Any civil engineering contractor would have realised probably weeks ago that they were going to overrun and they must have realised they would be fined," he said.

"They could have solved that by putting on more resources, more people and more machines - but if the cost of that is more than the fine then they would choose to pay the fine."

Announcing an investigation, the Office of Rail Regulation said in a statement: "Network Rail, working with the rest of the industry, must learn lessons and prevent problems like this happening again.

"We will also be reviewing the standard of passenger information during disruptions - with a focus on whether passengers have been adequately informed to make alternative arrangements to their journeys or claim compensation."

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "There will be thousands of passengers who have been left angry and frustrated by today's events.

"We have heard and seen passengers standing for hours on trains, locked outside stations and left to find out what to do by themselves.

"Passengers booked tickets and made travel plans based on the promises made by the industry. That trust has been broken today."

He called for a review into the disruption, adding: "In the meantime every single passenger affected should claim compensation. Send a clear message to the industry and make sure your voice is heard."