UK power cuts - live updates: Nearly one million people affected by major outages across country with trains, airports and traffic lights impacted

Power cuts london and south east hit by massive national grid failure as traffic lights go down

The UK was hit by a massive power cut on Friday, as traffic lights were knocked out, trains came to a standstill and aircraft were grounded during rush hour.

Large parts of the country were without electricity following the power cut, utility suppliers said, with outages reported in the North West, South West, the Midlands and Wales.

The UK Power Networks tweeted on Friday evening: "We're aware of a power cut affecting large parts of London and South East.

"We believe this is due to a failure on National Grid's network, which is affecting our customers."

Train services in and out of London, including Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express saw delays and cancellations on Friday evening.

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Traffic lights in the capital were also experiencing some problems and the Victoria Line on the London Underground was suspended, Transport for London said.

They tweeted on Friday evening warning people to be cautious when using the roads.

Key Points

• Major power cut reported across London and the South East
• Nearly one million people affected by outages, utility suppliers confirm
• National Grid ESO says power cut was caused by "loss of two generators"
• London Kings Cross Station closed to avoid overcrowding
• Energy watchdog demands 'urgent report' on what went wrong today

[9 August 2019 19:45 · Jon di Paolo]

For anyone who hasn’t been adding up the numbers, nearly one million people have been affected by today’s massive power cut.

[9 August 2019 19:58 · Jon di Paolo]

An eye-witness has described the situation at Kings Cross Station as “absolute mayhem”.

Zoe Hebblethwaite told the Press Association that she had been stuck for almost two hours after the station was forced to close due to the power cut.

"Outside Kings Cross Station is absolute mayhem - nobody knows anything, nobody can find an assistant to speak to at this point,” she said at about 7.30pm.

"No commuters are allowed in... There is so much confusion."

[9 August 2019 20:03 · Jon di Paolo]

East Midlands Trains are now saying they are not expecting any services to depart from London St Pancras for the rest of the night.

Customers are being advised to “make their own way forward”.

[9 August 2019 20:05 · Jon di Paolo]

National Rail has now confirmed there will be no travel from London St Pancras International this evening.

[9 August 2019 20:27 · Jon di Paolo]

The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has released an updated statement on the power cut.

They said the outage was caused by “the loss of two generators that connect to the GB transmission system, which led to a fall in the frequency of the electricity system.”

You can find a more detailed description by Julian Leslie, from the National Grid ESO, below.

[9 August 2019 20:33 · Jon di Paolo]

British Transport Police have also released an update, warning passengers not to leave train services when they are not at a station.

[9 August 2019 20:56 · Jon di Paolo]

Passengers who have had to order a taxi to get home due to the power cut will be reimbursed for the cost, according to National Rail.

More details are below.

[9 August 2019 21:00 · Jon di Paolo]

There were also transport issues in the North West today due to the outage.

Thankfully, Merseyrail have just announced that services on the Wirral Line have been restored.

[9 August 2019 21:59 · Jon di Paolo]

Here are some images from earlier in the day, when London's Clapham Junction and Kings Cross Station were hit by the power cut.

[9 August 2019 22:01 · Jon di Paolo]

It's all calmed down a bit now but East Midlands Trains has said there is still disruption on the Sheffield, Nottingham and London route.