‘Apocalyptic’ scenes after power cut hits traffic and rail systems
A LARGE power cut has caused “apocalyptic” rush-hour scenes across England and Wales, with traffic lights down and trains brought to a standstill.
Nearly a million customers faced blackouts late yesterday afternoon after what the National Grid Electricity System Operator said were issues with two generators, which were later resolved.
Around 300,000 UK Power Networks customers were affected in London and the South East, a spokeswoman said, while Western Power Distribution said around 500,000 people were affected in the Midlands, South West and Wales, with power restored to all shortly after 6pm.
A spokeswoman for Northern Powergrid, which serves Yorkshire and the North East, said 110,000 of its customers lost power, while at least 26,000 people were without electric in the North West of England, Electricity North West said.
Rail and road commuters faced delays after trains were cancelled and traffic lights stopped working during rush hour, with the scene at Clapham Junction described by one commuter as “something out of an apocalyptic film”.
All services out of London King’s Cross were cancelled, and Thameslink trains were being held “at a stand” as British Transport Police confirmed they were assisting station staff and crowds.
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “There was a power surge on the national grid this evening which means we lost power to all our signalling over a wide area, including the Newport, Gloucester, Ashford, Bristol, Eastbourne, Hastings, Three Bridges and Exeter areas. All trains were stopped while our back-up signalling system started up.”
A Transport for London spokeswoman said some traffic lights were “not working” as police stood ready to step in if required, to direct traffic at busy junctions in the capital.