Cable theft causes major delays for train travel

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ThamesLink and East Midlands Railway services are affected by the cable theft near St Albans

Theft of signalling cables has caused "major disruption" on parts of the train network, National Rail said.

The cables were stolen at Napsbury, resulting in a fault with the signalling system at nearby St Albans, Hertfordshire.

East Midlands Railway services between Sheffield, Nottingham, Corby and London St Pancras were affected as well as Thameslink services between Bedford and East Croydon, and also between Luton and Rainham, in Kent.

A spokeswoman said work to replace the cables was taking place overnight and normal services were expected to resume by the end of the day on Sunday.

The company said the theft resulted in "major disruption" meaning "at St Albans City means that fewer trains are able to run on all lines"

"As a result, trains running between Luton and London St Pancras International and may be cancelled, delayed or revised."

On National Rail's website, East Midlands Railway advised customers to expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Thameslink also told customers that services between Bedford and East Croydon were reduced to two trains running in each direction per hour and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton (via both Mitcham Junction and Wimbledon) it will be reduced to one train running in each direction per hour.

Alternative arrangements for travel have been posted on the National Rail site.