Trains are returning to normal following a fault with the signalling system between Cosham and Havant / Portsmouth Harbour. As service recovers, trains running between these stations may still be delayed by up to 30 minutes.

This is expected until 11:00.

Customer Advice:

Southern

Southern are working to return to their scheduled timetable, but please continue to check journey planners and station information boards, as your journey may still take up to 15 minutes longer than usual. Please allow extra time to reach your destination.

You can use your ticket at no extra cost on alternative Southern services via any reasonable route.

Planning your journey:

You can see a live map of the network here. This will show where your journey is likely to be affected.

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

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Trains have been delayed this morning due to a fault with a signal in this area. In this case, the signal was unable to show the normal coloured light indications to drivers, and instead, it was showing a red light. This meant drivers had to stop at the signal and gain verbal instructions to continue. This has now been fixed, but some trains had been delayed as a result.

Railway signals are designed to warn drivers that they have to stop because the system can't yet confirm that the route ahead is clear. In most places, the signalling system will show a green light, or aspect, when the track is clear for a long distance ahead, and drivers will then be shown one or two yellow lights to warn them when they are approaching a red signal. This means that they can anticipate the amount of braking that's required to stop before they reach another train or any form of problem on the line.

Signalling runs on "fail safe" principles, so if the signals can't step through the usual colours, they will instead show a more restrictive colour - for example, red instead of green. This means drivers will have to stop, but in fact, the route ahead may still be clear. This leads to delays.

The signalling system is maintained by Network Rail, and Southern are working closely with them to diagnose the fault and make sure it is fixed as quickly as possible. Until this is done, Southern will be closely monitoring the train service and doing their best to keep to the timetable.

South Western Railway

For further information or onward travel advice please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.

If you would prefer to use local buses to continue your journey please check Traveline - South Western Railway tickets are not valid on local buses unless stated above.

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.