Passengers '˜stranded' as broken down train blocks Portsmouth rail line

A broken down train has caused passengers to be '˜stranded' at Fratton station.Â
Passengers have been left 'stranded' at Fratton station. Picture: Chris MoorhousePassengers have been left 'stranded' at Fratton station. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Passengers have been left 'stranded' at Fratton station. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

The train is said to have broken down whilst crossing '˜into Portsmouth station - the train is literally blocking both lines'. 

Due to the incident trains are currently unable to run between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour in both directions. 

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According to one passenger, they have been left 'stranded' at Fratton with no replacement bus service being put on to help them reach their destination. 

Passengers have been left 'stranded' at Fratton station. Picture: Chris MoorhousePassengers have been left 'stranded' at Fratton station. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Passengers have been left 'stranded' at Fratton station. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Due to the blocked lines, services from Portsmouth to London Waterloo are being delayed. 

One passenger, who is trying to get to Chichester said: '˜I feel that the way Southern Western are dealing with the passengers is disgusting, they should of had a bus service up and running by now, as we are not being given a time scale on the line being clear.' 

In response to the comments, a spokesman for South Western Railway said: '˜We apologise to customers for the delays to their journeys.

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'˜This was caused by a broken down Southern Railway train, blocking all of the lines into and out of Portsmouth.

'˜The train has now been moved and our services are returning to normal.

'˜We arranged for our tickets to be accepted on local bus services but, as it takes at least two hours for any replacement bus services to start running, and, as our services began to run again after 90 minutes, there was insufficient time for a bus replacement service to start.'

On their website South Western Railway said: '˜We have been made aware of a broken down Southern service between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour.  '˜As a result, all lines are currently blocked and no trains can travel through this area in either direction.  '˜Engineers are aware of the issue and working to unblock the line however, until this is done trains may be delayed or revised at short notice. More information to follow when available.  '˜We are sorry for any delay this may cause to your journey.'

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According to SWR help account on Twitter, the broken down train is a Southern Rail service. 

Disruption is expected to last until 2pm according to South Western Railway's website. 

If you have been delayed by more than 15 minutes, you may be eligible for compensation. 

You'll need to submit your claim within 28 days of travelling. For more information about what you may be entitled to, or to see what to include with your claim, see the details here.