Icy track causes disruption for train travellers

Frustrated passengers travelling on the line, which includes Battle, Crowhurst, Robertsbridge and Etchingham stations, were greeted by chaotic scenes as a number of trains were cancelled and other services saw lengthy delays and diversions.

One man who tried to catch a train from Battle said the network was in ‘absolute chaos’.

The man, who lives in Battle, was forced to cut short his daytrip to London because of the delays and problems on the London Underground.

He added: “The joke was there were no engineering works between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.

“We are promised diversions on Sundays for the next five years as all this work is going on at London Bridge station. If this is what is going to happen for the next five years on a Sunday, then God help us all.”

The delays also affected runners travelling to and from Sunday’s Hastings Half Marathon event.

A spokesperson for Southeastern trains said: “We operate a third rail network where the trains draw power from the conductor rail on the track. It’s the same system that’s used on the London Underground. In the Underground it’s all undercover, but overground if snow and ice forms on the conductor rail, our trains cannot draw power.

“It’s Network Rail’s job to keep the tracks clear but I understand there were a number of issues on the Hastings line.

“There were delays and for that we apologise.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Anti-icing trains ran on Saturday night to treat the third rail but rain followed by freezing temperatures meant some ice was able to form on parts of the network in Kent on Sunday. This meant that some trains were unable to run properly and we apologise for the disruption this caused to passengers.

“Our staff and engineers were working throughout Sunday to resolve the issue and will continue to throughout the ongoing cold weather.

“We use the latest weather forecasts to plan for the impact of snow and ice and use all available options to keep lines as clear as possible.

“Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquires for the latest information before travelling.”