Commuters faced major disruption in the rush hour after trains were unable to stop at East Croydon due to a suspect package.
Police dealt with the incident at the station and carried out a controlled explosion.
Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink services have all faced disrupted in the East Croydon area.
Trains were able to stop again at the station shortly before 6.30pm.
Meanwhile Motorists have faced delays of up to three hours after a lorry fire on the M25 sparked huge traffic jams stretching for 11 miles.
At around 1.30am on Friday a lorry carrying a load of metal sheeting caught fire on the M25 clockwise. 5 units and a specialised water carrier from Kent Fire and Rescue Service responded with the blaze being extinguished at around 3am.
Although the fire had been extinguished the lorry’s cargo remained extremely hot and lane restrictions remained in place.
Two lanes on the clockwise carriageway between junction five, near Sevenoaks in Kent, and junction six, near Godstone in Surrey, were closed.
Traffic monitoring site Inrix said two lanes were still closed as of 11:38, despite one being briefly reopened, but “severe delays” remained.
See below for the latest updates.
Hour delay as lines reopen after ‘trespass incident’ on London Victoria to East Grinstead service
20:42 , Anthony France
National Rail said: “Earlier this evening, a trespass incident was reported between Hurst Green and East Grinstead.
“All trains were stopped in the affected area, but lines have now reopened.
“Teams are working hard to get back to a normal timetable, but there have been delays of around 30-60 minutes. These are starting to reduce.
“Some late-running trains will be revised, and will only complete parts of their normal journeys, or will be revised to stop at fewer stations en route.”
Trespassers cause delays on London Victoria to East Grinstead line
19:37 , Anthony France
National Rail said: “A trespass incident has been reported between Hurst Green and East Grinstead.
“All trains have been stopped in the immediate area, and staff don’t have an exact estimate for any delays at the moment.
“To avoid the affected part of the network, trains which are still heading towards East Grinstead will be diverted away from the route, or will finish their journeys at Oxted, and return north from there.
“Unfortunately, staff are currently unable to confirm any direct onward transport from Oxted.
“Because of this, Lingfield, Dormans and East Grinstead are not being served.”
Severe delays on all Overground trains to Richmond
18:59 , Anthony France
Transport for London is reporting a circuit failure is causing severe delays and cancellations on all London Overground trains to Richmond, Clapham Junction and Stratford.
Met Police statement on controlled explosion at East Croydon station
18:48 , Anthony France
Scotland Yard said: “At about 4.07pm on Friday, September 20, police were made aware of a suspicious package in Addiscombe Road, Croydon.
“Members of the public were evacuated and safety cordons were put in place while specialist officers assessed the item.
“As a precaution, specialist teams have conducted a controlled explosion at the location.
“This incident has now been stood down and enquiries remain ongoing.“
Office worker ‘jumped out of skin’ after hearing ‘almighty bang’ as police carry out controlled explosion at East Croydon
18:35 , Anthony France
Simon Bates, an office worker, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Looks to have all blown over now in East Croydon.
“Still don’t fully know what was going on. Bomb threat, suspicious package… there was an absolute almighty bang though at some point.
“Made me jump out of my skin! Even from the 20th floor!”
Looks to have all blown over now in East Croydon. Still don’t fully know what was going on. Bomb threat, suspicious package…there was an absolute almighty bang though at some point, made me jump out of my skin! Even from the 20th floor! pic.twitter.com/Y1YlRgMh3P
— Simon Bates (@SimonBates1991) September 20, 2024
Controlled explosion at East Croydon station – Met Police
18:15 , Anthony France
Police have carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect package at East Croydon station in south London.
The incident caused widespread disruption for commuters travelling to and from London Victoria.
Cordons are now lifting, the Metropolitan Police said.
Trains able to stop again at East Croydon but delays still expected
18:11 , Matt Watts
Trains are now able to stop again at East Croydon station again police have said.
Disruption is still expected to services as timetables are restored.
📢 Trains are now able to call at East Croydon as normal.
👍🏽 We are working to add stops back in to the trains timetables but this will need to be communicated to each train and driver approaching the area.
— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) September 20, 2024
‘Do not travel’: No trains expected at East Croydon until at last 7pm
17:42
National Rail have released a statement and advice on travel involving East Croydon station.
It has said: “The police are dealing with an incident in the East Croydon area and are advising people to remain clear of the station. As a result, the station has been closed which means trains are currently unable to call or depart.
“Disruption is expected until 19:00.
“Passengers are advised DO NOT TRAVEL to East Croydon station.
“Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink services will be disrupted in the East Croydon area.
“Southern and Thameslink services will not be able to call at this station at short notice. There could also be some other service changes.
“We recommend you do not travel to or from this station until it reopens.”
Trains unable to stop at East Croydon due to police incident
17:31 , Matt Watts
Southern Rail have said trains are unable to stop at the station due to a police incident.
It wrote on X: “Services are not currently able to call at East Croydon until further notice. “We are working to help assist you with alternative transport and are arranging ticket acceptance.”
When we have more detail on the incident we will bring it to you.
Police dealing with incident at East Croydon station
17:24 , Matt Watts
Southern trains are reporting disruption at East Croydon station due to a police incident.
⚠️ Police are dealing with an incident at East Croydon station.
🚫 The main entrance is currently shut and you will need to use the alternative available entrances/exits at the station.
Staff are on site and will help assist you should you need it.
— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) September 20, 2024
Long queues on M25 in east London due to stalled car
14:54 , Jacob Phillips
All lanes were forced to stop on the M25 in east London due to a stalled car.
Traffic has been building following the incident from J29 A127 Southend Arterial Road (Romford / Basildon) to J30 A13 (Lakeside / Purfleet).
Trains unable to stop at Queenstown Road Battersea due to circuit failure
14:02 , Jacob Phillips
Due to a track circuit failure at Queenstown Road Battersea some lines towards London Waterloo are blocked.
Train services running through this station are going straight between Clapham Junction and Vauxhall.
National Rail has warned that there will be disruption until 4pm.
⚠️INFO: Trains towards London Waterloo may not call / stop at #QueenstownRoadBattersea due to a signalling problem.
To assist you with your journey, your ticket will be accepted at no extra cost to yourself, on the following services:
🎟️Southern Railway services between…— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) September 20, 2024
Long delays remain on M25 after lorry fire
13:53 , Jacob Phillips
There are still long delays on the M25 following a lorry fire.
One lane remains closed due to emergency resurfacing repairs on the M25 clockwise before the A22.
Congestion has built up back along the M26, and via the A25 from Sundridge to Godstone.
The fire took place at around 1.30am, according to travel data site Inrix.
Congestion from vehicle fire spreads to A25 and M26
13:25 , Matt Watts
Traffic monitoring site Inrix has that congestion had spread to the A25 through Sundridge, Oxted and Godstone following the huge queues on the M25.
Delays of about 55 minutes are also affecting traffic travelling westbound on the M26 leading up to the M25 at junction five.
Three hour delays on M25 in Kent
13:18 , Matt Watts
There are severe delays of up to 3 hours on the M25 clockwise in Kent between J5 (Seven Oaks/M26) and J6 (South Mimms) following a lorry fire in the early hours of the morning.
Naaational Highways said: “At around 01:30 this morning a lorry carrying a load of metal sheeting caught fire on the M25 clockwise. 5 units and a specialised water carrier from Kent Fire and Rescue Service responded with the blaze being extinguished at around 03:00.
“Although the fire had been extinguished the lorry’s cargo remained extremely hot and lane restrictions remained in place to allow traffic to continue to move past the scene safely with as minimum impact to the travelling public as possible.
“By 09:00 the contests of the lorry had been safely removed and the recovery operation could begin.
“Recovery continues at scene with lane restrictions remaining in place. Lane 1 (of 4) remains closed for ongoing long term roadworks with lanes 2 and 3 closed to provide a safe working environment for recovery agents.
“Once recovery is complete a pavement engineer will assess the carriageway will attend for any potential damage to the carriageway from the fire.”