Power Cut Causes Chaos

A power cut is causing major disruption on rail and Tube services in London and the South East.

August 28, 2003

Network Rail says between 500 and 1,000 trains have been affected by the power cuts which are thought to have been caused by a problem with the National Grid.

Train company Connex has reported the power is out between London and Ashford, affecting services through London Bridge, Victoria, Ashford, New Cross and Bromley.

No trains are running in south London, the area which has been hardest hit, and Transport for London says 60% of the Tube network has been affected.

Stations and trains were evacuated as commuters using the Tube were plunged into darkness and some were stuck underground as the power went off at 1815 BST.

Buses quickly became extremely busy as commuters abandoned packed Tube platforms.

A London Underground spokesman said: "There will be travellers underground. I don't know the extent of that yet. It's at the end of rush hour, the peak period, so it's a busy time."

LU is trying to get an alternative power feed from north London and estimates power should be restored within half an hour.

There have been reports of power returning in Clapham, south-west London.

Businesses and homes in Brixton, Battersea and London Bridge were plunged into darkness and Transport for London said 250 sets of traffic lights went out.

Sue Gill from EDF Energy said: "It seems that one of the National Grid circuits that feeds south London has failed.

Hospitals on back-up generators

"The National Grid are currently looking into it."

She added it was difficult to predict how long it would take to restore power.

Staff at St Thomas's Hospital, in south-east London are reportedly relying on back-up power generators.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said the power cut would not cause major problems.

He said: "All NHS hospitals have back up generators. They will be able to cope."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3189755.stm