Chaos at Charing Cross as trains cancelled over trespasser on tracks

Trespasser on tracks leads to rush hour trains being cancelled or diverted

Charing Cross station was evacuated (Simon Calder)

Hundreds of commuters were evacuated from Charing Cross station on Thursday afternoon after a trespasser on the tracks sparked rush hour chaos, with dozens of trains cancelled or diverted.

Armed police rushed to the scene as witnesses claimed a man had attempted to cross the Hungerford Bridge, bringing rush hour trains to a halt.

A man was pictured standing on the bridge which carries the railway line over the River Thames on Friday.

By 7pm, Southeastern Rail said the man had been apprehended and the power to the line had been switched back on.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Charing Cross railway station at around 5.07pm following reports of a person trespassing on a railway bridge.

“Officers attended, alongside firearms officers, and a person was taken to a place of safety.”

The managing director of Southeastern Railway, Steve White posted on X: “I am sorry to advise that a trespasser on the railway at Charing Cross has prevented all trains leaving for the last hour.

“British Transport Police are on site working to resolve. Services will be diverted where possible to keep customers moving.”

A Southeastern spokesman added: “A trespasser on the railway between London Charing Cross and London Bridge means that all lines are blocked.

“Trains running between to / from London Charing Cross be cancelled, delayed by up to 90 minutes or revised.”

“Trains between London Bridge and London Charing Cross are currently unable to run.”