Travel plans for thousands were thrown into turmoil today after an emergency incident between Woking and Wimbledon forced a total shutdown of train services to and from London Waterloo — one of the UK’s busiest stations.
Commuters face major disruption at London Waterloo
South Western Railway (SWR) confirmed that all lines had to be suspended while emergency services dealt with the incident, causing gridlock across the South East rail network.
The disruption hit hard during peak travel hours, leaving many stranded or scrambling for alternate routes.
“Due to emergency services dealing with this incident, we have had to turn off the electricity that powers the trains. This means that no trains can run through the area,” Network Rail Wessex on X (formerly Twitter).
Due to emergency services dealing with this incident, we have had to turn off the electricity that powers the trains.
This means that no trains can run through the area.
Please follow South Western Railway for the latest travel information. Thank you for your patience https://t.co/Px6AUPpL72
— Network Rail Wessex (@NetworkRailWssx) October 3, 2025
Platforms Blocked, Passengers Turned Away
The situation rapidly escalated during the morning commute, with Waterloo station forced to stop passengers from entering the building altogether. Major queues formed outside as safety concerns mounted.
Transport for London (TfL) took precautionary steps, announcing that Bakerloo line trains would not stop at Waterloo to prevent overcrowding.
TfL added: “Jubilee Line and Northern Line trains continue to stop as normal.”
Services Resume but Delays Linger
After several hours of uncertainty, SWR announced that lines were officially reopened. However, the ripple effect of the disruption is expected to last throughout the day.
“The emergency services have completed their work between Wimbledon and Effingham Junction/Hampton Court/Woking. This has allowed all lines between these stations to reopen.
Trains running between these stations may continue to be cancelled, severely delayed by up to 100 minutes or revised,” National Rail
Even with tracks cleared, the damage is done, delays, cancellations and diversions continue to frustrate passengers.
London Waterloo Disruption at a Glance:
- All lines between Woking and Wimbledon were initially blocked.
- Waterloo Station has restricted access due to overcrowding risks.
- SWR confirms delays may persist until the end of the day.
- TfL halted Bakerloo line stops at Waterloo temporarily.
- Tickets accepted on:
- London Buses
- Great Western Railway (Paddington ↔ Exeter St Davids, Basingstoke ↔ Reading)
- Select bus routes across the South East
Commuters Left in the Lurch
For regulars on the affected lines, particularly those connecting to Effingham Junction, Hampton Court, and Woking, the disruption created a chaotic and stressful start to their day.
“I’ve been standing outside Waterloo for over 30 minutes. No updates. No trains. Just queues,” one commuter shared on social media.
Another said, “This isn’t just a delay. This is travel paralysis.”
Long-Term Impact on Rail Reliability?
While emergency incidents are often unpredictable, today’s events raise broader concerns about the fragility of the rail network, especially when a single issue can bring services to a grinding halt across the entire South East corridor.
Network Rail and South Western Railway are yet to disclose full details about the nature of the emergency, but investigations and safety checks are expected to continue into the evening.
Commuters are advised to check the latest travel updates and consider alternative travel options throughout the day.
