'Major disruption': London-bound trains from Portsmouth via Sussex subject to delays and cancellations

This is due to an incident in the Hilsea area.

"Lines have now reopened following a fault on a train at Hilsea,” a National Rail update read.

"While service recovers, trains running between Portsmouth Harbour and Havant / Fareham may still be delayed by over 60 minutes or cancelled.

“Major disruption is expected to continue until 19:00.”

A South Western Railway train in the Hilsea area developed a fault and was unable to move, blocking the line towards Havant.

The train has been taken out of passenger service and is now en route to the depot for a ‘full fix’.

Lines between Havant and Portsmouth have now reopened, and services are ‘starting to move again through the area’.

However, delays, alterations and cancellations are all still expected whilst Southern Rail works to ‘resume a normal service’. You are advised to check before you travel using online journey planners and departure boards.

National Rail added: “Journeys will likely continue to take at least 30 minutes longer than usual so please allow plenty of extra time. You may wish to use an alternative route instead, and you may need to change trains en route in order to complete your journey.

“Tickets will be accepted for no extra cost on the following: South Western Railway services between Southampton, Portsmouth and London Waterloo; Great Western Railway services between Southampton and Portsmouth; Southern and Thameslink services via any reasonable route including between the coast / Brighton, Gatwick Airport and London.”

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim via southernrailway.com/help-and-support/delay-repay-compensation