Southeastern apologises after Hastings line '˜shambles'

Some commuters experienced delays of up to six hours due to icy conditions between Hastings and Tonbridge with many taking to social media to vent their frustration.

A Southeastern Railways spokesman said it would be investigating how these kinds of delays can be avoided in the future.

“On Friday, all routes on our network were heavily affected by service disruption caused by icy track conditions,” the spokesman said.

“We apologise to all affected passengers, and encourage anyone delayed by more than 30 minutes to claim delay repay compensation.

“We and Network Rail are investigating together how to stop such disruption happening in the first place, how service disruption can be better managed and how the flow of information about such disruption can be improved.”

The rail companies took a lot of flack on social media for apparently not de-icing the tracks properly which caused the delays.

Many commuters posted on Twitter and Facebook about the disruption, including Hastings Borough Councillor Rob Cooke.

“Trains to Cannon Street and Charing Cross delayed due to freezing line #networkrailfail,” he tweeted.

Another angry passenger was Andy Dawson who wrote: “Another miserable commute. Rail network and #southeastern not fit for purpose #hastingsline.”

As was Mark Cowlard who described Friday as, ‘a shocking day for our railways’.

Matt Buckland said it was a ‘shambles’.

“Why aren’t @Se_Railway using the #hastingsline More to keep people updated??? As always... Shambles in communication,” he said.

Collete Iglinski tweeted: “#HastingsLine have arrived at Tonbridge four hours after getting to Etchingham”

And Mat Ariki wrote on Facebook: “I think it would be much easier for the train company to make a special announcement when the trains are running on time....kind of like ‘Breaking News’.”

“Then we could all gasp in amazement and wonder.”

Network Rail’s south east managing director Alasdair Coates apologised in a video on Twitter for the delays saying the usual de-icing procedures ‘were not enough’.

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