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15/11/2024

A person has been hit by a train between Dartford / Bexleyheath and Woolwich Arsenal. Whilst the emergency services attend to the scene, all lines are closed. Trains between these stations may be cancelled, severely delayed, revised or diverted.

Major disruption to continue until 16:00.

If you've been affected by what happened on the network today, there is always someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 from any phone for a confidential chat.

What's happened?

We've been informed that a person has been hit by a train between Woolwich Arsenal and Dartford. The emergency services and response staff are on their way, and the power has been switched off to allow them access to the railway. Trains cannot run on the Woolwich line.

Advice for Southeastern customers:

How does this affect my journey?

Trains on the following routes will be diverted to run via Sidcup or via Bexleyheath:

  • London Cannon Street to Dartford via Woolwich
  • London Cannon Street to Slade Green via Greenwich and Woolwich
  • London Cannon Street to Slade Green via Lewisham and Woolwich

Trains on the Sidcup and Bexleyheath lines may be delayed while more trains than usual run via these routes, and may be revised or cancelled at short notice.

What should I do?

You can use your tickets to travel on the following alternative routes at no additional cost:

  • London Buses on reasonable routes between London and Dartford.
  • Elizabeth line between Abbey Wood and Farringdon
  • Docklands Light Railway between Lewisham, Woolwich Arsenal and Greenwich
  • Thameslink services on alternative routes where available

If you're using Oyster / Contactless PAYG and you incur additional costs, please contact our Customer Services team.

Alternative Routes:

For details of alternative routes that may be available to complete your journey, please refer to our Alternative routes during disruption maps which can be found here.

Advice for Thameslink customers:

Thameslink services are affected on the route between Rainham, London Bridge and Luton (in both directions).

Your train will be diverted between Dartford and London Bridge, running via Lewisham, and not via Greenwich.

As a result, it's likely you will need to use another route to travel to or from some stations. These are listed below. Please leave at least 30 minutes of extra time to do this.

There will also be some delays in the area, including on the diversion route. We don't have an exact estimate for these, but even if your station is still being served, we also advise you to leave at least 30 minutes longer than usual.

Please listen carefully to announcements and check station screens when you are travelling.

Stations not being served:

Thameslink services are unable to call at the following stations, in both directions:

Deptford, Greenwich, Maze Hill, Westcombe Park, Charlton, Woolwich Arsenal, Plumstead, Abbey Wood or Slade Green

If you're waiting on a train which is delayed between stations:

If your train is delayed between stations, please remain where you are and listen to announcements, or speak to staff for further information. We'll get you moving as soon as possible. We're aware of your location, and our teams will be doing everything they can to help you continue your journey.

Please don't leave the train unless you are asked to do so. Other trains may still be moving in the area, and the track is also a very hazardous environment. In areas where the trains are powered by an electric third rail, this usually stays live and dangerous during incidents, and looks the same as other rails.

Ticket acceptance on alternative routes:

You may use your Thameslink ticket at no extra cost on:

  • London Buses on any reasonable route serving stations between Dartford, Woolwich, Charlton, Greenwich and Central London
  • Docklands Light Railway services between Woolwich Arsenal, Lewisham or Greenwich and Central London
  • Elizabeth line services between Abbey Wood, Woolwich and Farringdon
  • Alternative Southeastern services on any reasonable route, where available

Planning your journey:

You can check train departures from your station here:

You can view live maps of the network here:

You can see our alternative route guides here:

You can also use the Thameslink apps to find up-to-date information.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.

Affected operators
Southeastern, Thameslink
Nationalrail link
Last updated: 18/10/24 - 02:47