Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Trains across the UK are facing major delays this morning as a widespread disorder stops several lines.
National Rail said the problem was due to a “country-wide fault” with the radio system used between train drivers and signal operators.
Travelers are advised that many journeys will be forced to start later than planned during the day.
In a message to passengers, South Western Railway said: “This morning we have been informed of a national issue with our communications systems which is affecting the service. This means that trains can be delayed before they start their journey.
“This is because it is preventing our drivers from contacting the appropriate signaling center this morning and a reset has to be done before the train can start its journey.
Which lines are affected?
According to National Rail, services affected include:
- Elizabeth line
- South Western Railway
- Gatwick Express
- Great Northern
- Southern
- Southeastern
- Thameslink
What’s wrong?
The fault is in the Global System for Mobile Communications – Rail – or GSMR – which is used across the rail network for communication. Most importantly, it is a tool that allows drivers and signal operators to communicate.
A spokesman for Network Rail said The Independent: “We have discovered a bug in the railway’s radio communication system that prevents it from automatically ‘logging in’.
Instead, a fallback manual check-in system is used which causes a few minutes of delay at the start of the day. When the system is up and running, it works normally, and the impact on passengers is minimal.”
The digital radio system was installed across the network between 2007 and 2014 at a cost of £1.86 billion. Network Rail says it was implemented to bring it in line with European rail communications standards and move the system away from outdated analogue models.
Unlike previous systems, it unlocked the ability for drivers and operators to stay in constant communication, even in tunnels or other deep cuts. Network Rail says the new system also improves safety, performance and the passenger experience.
However, the rail operator also admits there are improvements to be made to the system. Guidance for rail workers says: “The causes of delay incidents are often complex, involving a chain of causes and effects that are not purely technical”
“GSMR service levels can be affected by a number of different factors such as interference from public mobile network operators, the effects of vegetation growth and new buildings built near railways.”
When will things go back to normal?
National Rail says most of the affected trains should be able to run normally once they start running. Short delays caused by problems with the radio system, however, have a detrimental effect, causing network-wide delays.
Some providers allow customers to travel at alternative times or with different providers. More information can be found on each provider’s website.
The problems first started already at 5 in the morning. The first train of the day from Salisbury to London Waterloo was canceled “due to rail communication problems”, and several more cancellations followed.
Of all the major commuter stations in London, Waterloo was the hardest hit. It would normally be used by 200,000 commuters a day, but many of them had trouble getting to work.
An update from National Rail said: “This issue mainly affects trains on some routes leaving the depot to start their service. However, trains can run normally once they depart.
“Cancellations and changes are expected in the short term due to the impact on the timetable. Please check before travelling, allow extra time for your journey and follow live departure boards.”
For the latest updates on this story, follow The Independent’s live coverage