Travellers in west London, including music fans heading to Glastonbury Festival, faced significant disruptions on Thursday after a person was hit by a train. The incident led to long delays and cancellations on Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway (GWR), and Heathrow Express services. All lines were closed between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport, as well as to Reading, causing chaos for commuters and festival-goers alike.
GWR announced that all lines were blocked at West Ealing on Thursday morning due to the emergency services dealing with an incident near the railway. This led to widespread delays and cancellations, affecting services to and from London Paddington, which is on the route serving Castle Cary, the nearest station to Glastonbury Festival.
Fortunately, the lines have since reopened, and services returned to normal after 3pm. However, the disruption had a ripple effect on transportation throughout the day, impacting a wide range of services in the area.
The incident also affected Tube services, with minor delays reported on the Central, Elizabeth, Piccadilly, and Hammersmith & City lines. Additionally, there were concerns about potential closures at Oxford Circus Tube station during Pride in London due to strike action, adding to the challenges faced by commuters and event attendees.
Despite the reopening of the lines, delays persisted until 3pm, with travellers in west London experiencing further disruptions. Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway, and Heathrow Express services were particularly affected, causing frustration for those trying to reach their destinations.
The Tube network also faced a range of delays, with severe disruptions on multiple lines. Transport for London warned of severe delays on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Reading, as well as to Heathrow Airport. Other lines, including the Jubilee Line and Piccadilly Line, experienced similar issues due to various technical problems.
British Transport Police confirmed the casualty on the tracks near West Ealing, stating that the incident was not being treated as suspicious. The tragic event led to significant delays and cancellations, impacting the travel plans of many individuals in the area.
Passengers at London Paddington were particularly affected, with trains from the station experiencing disruptions and delays of up to an hour. The departure board at Paddington showed numerous services affected by cancellations and delays, causing frustration for those trying to reach their destinations.
Overall, the incident near West Ealing had a widespread impact on transportation in west London, causing delays and disruptions for travellers and commuters throughout the day. Despite the challenges faced, authorities worked to restore services and ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers.
