London travel news LIVE: Rail services to Paddington delayed due to broken freight train

Rail services to London Paddington could be delayed by up to 45 minutes due to a broken-down freight train.

National Rail has warned the incident happened between Basingstoke and Reading, with routes between the stations affected, meaning services could also be cancelled or revised until 7pm on Wednesday.

It comes after motorists were warned of severe delays on a major road linking east London to Essex with tailbacks of up to six miles.

A stalled truck on the A13 before the North Circular at Beckton Roundabout closed two lanes, causing congestion to Wennington, past Barking, Dagenham and Rainham.

Motorists on the M25 near Heathrow were also warned of potential delays after earlier reports of a vehicle being driven the wrong way.

Follow latest London travel updates below

Gatwick Airport trains may be cancelled

Wednesday 13 March 2024 08:02 , Josh Salisbury

Trains running to Gatwick Airport may be cancelled at short notice as engineers inspect a track problem.

Affected is the route for Gatwick Airport between London Victoria and Brighton.

Southern services between London Victoria and Eastbourne and also between Redhill and Gatwick Airport / Three Bridges are affected.

Thameslink between London Bridge and Horsham, Cambridge and Brighton and also between Bedford and Gatwick Airport / Three Bridges is also affected.

The disruption is expected to last until at least 9.30.

Minor delays on Bakerloo and Elizabeth lines

Wednesday 13 March 2024 08:13 , Josh Salisbury

The Bakerloo Line is suffering minor delays because of a shortage of trains, TfL says.

Meanwhile, there were minor delays between Gidea Park and Shenfield on the Elizabeth Line while Network Rail conducted a safety inspection of the track.

Minor delays on section of Overground

Wednesday 13 March 2024 08:24 , Josh Salisbury

There are minor delays on the London Overground between Sydenham and West Croydon.

TfL says this is because they are dealing with a customer incident at Norwood Junction.

Severe delays on A13

Wednesday 13 March 2024 09:22 , Josh Salisbury

Motorists are being warned of severe delays on the A13, which links east London to Essex with congestion of up to eight miles.

A stalled truck on the A13 before the North Circular at Beckton Roundabout has closed two lanes, causing congestion to Wennington, past Barking, Dagenham and Rainham.

Traffic is also heavy on nearby diversion routes such as New Road and Rainham Road.

M25 delays near Heathrow over 'car driving wrong way'

Wednesday 13 March 2024 10:21 , Josh Salisbury

Motorists are being warned to expect delays on the M25 near Heathrow amid reports of a vehicle driving the wrong way.

The area affected is the J13 for Staines and J15 for the M4.

The Standard has contacted police for more details.

Some lines to Waterloo blocked over 'train fault'

Wednesday 13 March 2024 11:01 , Josh Salisbury

A fault on a train at Queenstown Road, Battersea has blocked some lines towards London Waterloo.

Passengers are being warned services running through the station may be delayed until 1pm.

Services in the direction of Waterloo will be unable to call at Queenstown Road until further notice.

Minor delays on Hammersmith and City

Wednesday 13 March 2024 11:55 , Josh Salisbury

There have been minor delays on the Hammersmith and City line throughout this morning.

TfL says this is due to “train cancellations.” The reason for the train cancellations is not given.

Disruption to journeys this weekend over planned works

Wednesday 13 March 2024 13:50 , Josh Salisbury

A number of means of transport will be disrupted this weekend in and around London over planned works.

- The M25 will be shut in both directions between junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm on Friday, 15 March to 6am on Monday, 18 March.

- In turn, on Saturday and Sunday, rail replacement buses between Epsom and Dorking may be delayed due to diverted traffic.

- On Saturday and Sunday, the Circle Line will have no service between Hammersmith and Tower Hill.

- On the Metropolitan Line, there will be no service between Wembley Park and Aldgate.

Minor delays on tramlink

Wednesday 13 March 2024 15:13 , Jacob Phillips

There are minor delays on the tramlink between East Croydon and Reeves Corner while Transport for London deal with a customer service at George Street.

Delays of up to 45 minutes due to broken down freight train

Wednesday 13 March 2024 15:35 , Jacob Phillips

Trains to London Paddington are disrupted due to a broken down freight train.

National Rail has said the incident has happened between Basingstoke and Reading, with journeys between the stations affected.

There could be trains cancelled, delayed by 45 minutes or revised.

Long-distance services from Penzance and Exeter St Davids towards Paddington may divert via Swindon to avoid the incident.

Disruption is expected until 6pm.

Stretch of M25 to be shut all weekend

Wednesday 13 March 2024 16:35 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

National Highways is reminding people the M25 will shut both ways between junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday.The closure is so roadworks can be carried out. Long delays are expected.

Which trains are affected by the disruption caused by broken-down train?

Wednesday 13 March 2024 16:52 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

A broken-down freight train is causing disruption including delays of up to an hour.

Trains to London Paddington are among those affected. Here is a full list of affected services:

• CrossCountry trains between Bournemouth and Manchester Piccadilly

• Great Western Railway trains between Basingstoke / Newbury and Reading, and between Penzance / Plymouth / Paignton / Exeter St Davids and London Paddington

National Rail says a rescue locomotive is at the scene, to help the broken-down train. Rail replacement services are also in place.

Reading rail disruption now expected until 7pm

Wednesday 13 March 2024 17:43 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

The widespread rail disruption caused by a broken-down freight train between Basingstoke and Reading is now expected until 7pm, says National Rail.

Minor delays on Bakerloo and Central lines

Wednesday 13 March 2024 18:40 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

There are minor delays on both the Central and Bakerloo lines due to a shortage of trains.

Delays persist on Overground

Wednesday 13 March 2024 19:02 , Daniel Keane

There are currently minor delays between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction / West Croydon / New Cross / Crystal Palace, according to TfL.

There is a good service on the rest of the network.

Disruption between Highbury & Islington and Canada Water expected until 8.30pm

Wednesday 13 March 2024 19:31 , Daniel Keane

Following an earlier fault on a train earlier today between Highbury & Islington and Canada Water, lines have now reopened.

However, trains may continue to be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes as a result, according to National Rail.

Reading disruption now over

Wednesday 13 March 2024 20:35 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Disruption caused by the earlier broken-down train between Reading and Basingstoke is now over, says National Rail. Trains are reportedly now running normally.

That's all for today

Wednesday 13 March 2024 21:35 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Here ends our travel live blog for today.

We’ll be back tomorrow, bringing you updates throughout the day on issues affecting roads and public transport in and around London.

We wish you a safe journey this evening.