Power problems hit train services

Southeastern services on the Hastings to Charing Cross line, which includes Crowhurst, Battle, Robertsbridge and Etchingham stations, were affected.

Although the line was not closed, a reduced train service was running, alongside rail replacement bus services, while engineers worked to resolve the problem.

A spokesperson for Network Rail, which is responsible for the rail infrastructure, has apologised to passengers for the disruption.

He said: “We are really sorry for the disruption to trains on the Hastings line on Monday and Tuesday.

“On Monday evening, services were disrupted between Tonbridge and Hastings due to power supply problems.

“We were only able to run trains every half an hour because of limited power supplies.

“We supplemented the half hour train service with buses so we could keep people moving.”

“Engineers carried out repairs and full services returned on Tuesday afternoon.”

It is still not clear what caused the mysterious power supply problem.

The Network Rail spokesperson added: “At the time it was believed to be a power surge.

“We are investigating what caused it.

He added: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience while we were working on the problem.”

Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman and his parliamentary assistant Greg Thompson, were caught up in the disruption on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Thompson has written an official letter of complaint to Southeastern trains, which has been shared on social networking site Twitter.

He said his Monday train was only running at 50 percent of its capacity due to the power supply problems.

Mr Thompson, who commutes from West St Leonards, said this resulted in ‘severe overcrowding’ on the train.

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