Paddington station has been brought to a standstill due to a trespass incident as ‘major disruption’ is expected for the rest of the day.
National Rail said an earlier trespass incident and ‘damage to overhead line equipment’ has caused major disruption between London Paddington and Reading, with many services delayed or cancelled.
It comes as millions of revellers descended on west London today to enjoy Notting Hill Carnival.
Passengers have posted photographs showing huge crowds gathering at the station, while some passengers have been seen standing on delayed services.
Earlier today, a trespasser got onto the tracks near the station causing disruption to some services. While this incident has been resolved, entry into the hub has been blocked.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: ‘We apologise to passengers caught up in the disruption affecting services to and from London Paddington station this evening.
‘We had a series of incidents around the Ladbroke Grove area, including a reported trespasser and objects thrown onto the overhead lines in multiple locations, which meant that passenger services could not safely be run on all lines.
‘Passenger services were therefore restricted whilst the objects, which turned out to be plastic streamers that had become entangled in the overhead wires, were safely removed.
‘All obstructions have now been cleared and services are able to run as normal, though disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.
‘We’re incredibly sorry to any passengers disrupted and thank them for their ongoing patience and understanding during this time.’
Paddington station has been brought to a standstill due to a trespasser incident, with passengers seen waiting around at the station for delayed trains
Crowds of people have been seen waiting for delayed trains at London Paddington this evening. Pictured: A post from @obbsie
Meanwhile, Great Western Railway said trains are running at a ‘reduced speed’ due to damage to overhead electric wires between Reading and Paddington.
A spokesperson for GWR said: ‘Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between Reading and London Paddington, trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed.’
There have also been reports of severe delays on the Elizabeth Line, with no service between Bond Street and Reading or Heathrow Airport due to an obstruction in the overhead power lines.
National Rail said the Elizabeth line between Abbeywood and Heathrow Airport/ Maidenhead/Reading, and also between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport, had been affected, as well as Heathrow Express services to and from London Paddington.
A Transport for London spokesperson added: ‘Due to an obstruction on the overhead power lines between Ealing Broadway and Paddington, there is currently no service between Reading, Heathrow Airport and Bond Street on the Elizabeth line. Engineers are working to clear the issue and allow services to resume again as quickly as possible.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this and ask all customers to check for the latest information ahead of travelling.’
Thousands of people pack the streets on the first day of this year’s Notting Hill Carnival
Some passengers took to social media to express their frustration at the delays and cancellations.
One person wrote: ‘What is going on at Paddington? No one can hear the announcements just blank boards. The app still says everything is running as normal but clearly not.’
Another person wrote: ‘Paddington is going to be HELL! No Lizzy line going central.’
Customers have been advised to use the Underground, local buses and the Docklands Light Railway if their Elizabeth Line train has been affected.
Notting Hill is one of the longest-running street parties in the UK and celebrates Caribbean culture with vividly costumed performers taking part in a parade through the streets with dancing and music.
However, the large influx of people into Notting Hill and surrounding area pushes London’s transport network to its limit leading to disruption at nearby tube stations and the closure of certain roads.
MailOnline have comprised a full list of all the travel disruption festival goers might face while travelling to-and-from the carnival.
London Underground
Certain stations closest to the action today are closed or are exit only. Instead Transport for London (TfL) are urging those travelling by tube to the area to get to Paddington station and walk the short 20 minute walk to Notting Hill.
Stations such as Ladbroke Grove is completely closed. While Notting Hill Gate is exit only between 11am and 6pm for those on the Central line and the Circle and District Line platforms are closed all day today.
Other nearby stations such as Holland Park and Royal Oak are also exit only. Holland Park will close at 3pm and Royal Oak will close at 6pm.
Notting Hill is one of the longest-running street parties in the UK and celebrates Caribbean culture with vividly costumed performers taking part in a parade through the streets with dancing and music
Certain stations closest to the action today are closed or are exit only. Instead Transport for London (TfL) are urging those travelling by tube to the area to get to Paddington station and walk the short 20 minute walk to Notting Hill (stock image)
Notting Hill Gate is exit only between 11am and 6pm for those on the Central line and the Circle and District Line platforms are closed all day today
Latimer Road closes at 11.30pm but may also close for short periods throughout the day.
And Westbourne Park station is exit only from 11am and closes at 11.30pm. Due to the station’s close proximity to today’s action, TfL advises travellers to use other stations if they can.
Transport for London (TfL) said: ‘For the easiest and least-crowded journey to Notting Hill Carnival, customers are advised to take London Underground or Elizabeth line services to Paddington station as the Carnival is only a 20-minute walk away.
‘The Bakerloo, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as the Elizabeth line offer step-free access, while the District line also serves the station.’
Bus diversions
London Buses which travel through the carnival have been diverted. For a full list of the affected bus routes click here.
During the Notting Hill Carnival two carnival route buses will ferry party goers to and from the festival.
The 7X bus will run between East Action and Paddington three times an hour between 1pm and 9pm. This will call at all stops before Latymer Upper School Playing Fields and then will run as an express service only stopping at tube stations.
TfL are running some carnival route bus services to ferry revellers to and from the carnival
The 36X bus will run every ten minutes from Peckham town centre towards Elgin Avenue between 12pm and 6pm. From Vauxhall this will run as an express service to carnival.
Road closures
A number of roads are closed from 6am today until 6am on Tuesday, August 27, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and in Westminster.
Elsewhere across London there are minor delays on the Jubilee line. Part closure on the London Overground and Piccadilly line. And a reduced service on the Docklands Light Rail.
