Rail Chaos Hits London: Union Demands Answers Over Worker and Passenger Safety

London commuters were left stranded during Wednesday morning’s rush hour as major rail disruption brought services on Express, Southern, and Govia Thameslink to a grinding halt.

A rare “do not travel” warning stayed in place for nearly two hours, sparking outrage and safety concerns.

Network Rail later confirmed the chaos was caused by a signalling fault between Norwood Junction and London Bridge and a train derailment at the Selhurst depot, leaving thousands of passengers facing delays or cancellations across the capital.

Union Sounds Alarm

The TSSA rail union has demanded a full explanation, warning that the disruption highlights risks to both passengers and rail staff.

Maryam Eslamdoust, TSSA General Secretary, praised the frontline staff:

“Our brilliant Network Rail members were at the heart of the operation to get services running again. They worked tirelessly under pressure and deserve full recognition for their efforts.”

But Eslamdoust also emphasized the serious safety implications:

“This disruption has had a huge impact on thousands of people trying to travel into and across London. Safety on the railways is always our number one priority. Incidents like this must be thoroughly investigated so that lessons are learned and proper safeguards are put in place.”

Shaken Commuters

Passengers reported chaotic scenes at key London stations, with jam-packed platforms, frustrated travelers, and uncertainty over when trains would resume normal service.

The union wants clarity on why a “do not travel” warning was necessary and whether staff safety measures were sufficient during the incident.

“We cannot allow safety to be compromised for the sake of getting trains moving,” said Eslamdoust.