Major Rail Disruption Between London and Luton - Updated
Significant rail disruption is affecting services between London and Luton. Find out what is happening, which services are impacted, and discover alternative routes to keep your travel plans on track.
Update (18:00, 11 February): The disruption is ongoing and expected to continue until end of service today. Damaged overhead wires at Elstree and Borehamwood are the confirmed cause, affecting both Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services.
A significant rail disruption is currently affecting services between London and Luton due to damaged overhead electric wires at Elstree and Borehamwood. The issue has prompted warnings from Network Rail and affected operators including East Midlands Railway and Thameslink, with thousands of passengers facing delays of up to 30 minutes or cancellations.
What is Happening?
Overhead wire damage at Elstree and Borehamwood has caused severe disruption between London St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway. According to the BBC and Rail Advent, the disruption began early this morning and is expected to continue until end of service today.
East Midlands Railway has withdrawn its Connect services entirely, with Intercity services continuing to run but facing delays of up to 30 minutes. A shuttle service is operating between Kettering and Corby in both directions.
The affected routes include:
- London St Pancras International / Nottingham / Sheffield / Derby / Leicester
- London St Pancras International / Luton Airport Parkway / Corby
- Thameslink services to Gatwick, Brighton, and Kent
- Various connections between Bedford, Luton, and other key destinations
Impact on Passengers
Travellers heading to or from Luton Airport are facing significant challenges, with journey times extended by 2 to 2.5 hours for those using alternative routes. Many passengers are being forced to seek alternative transportation, with ticket acceptance on other operators adding considerable time to journeys.
The disruption is particularly concerning for those traveling to or from Luton Airport, as well as commuters who rely on these routes for daily travel. Services between London Bridge and East Grinstead, Orpington and Luton, Brighton and Cambridge, and Bedford and Three Bridges have also been affected.
Alternative Travel Options
For passengers affected by the disruption:
- Check with Network Rail's website for real-time updates and alternative routes
- Ticket acceptance is in place with other operators, though this adds 2-2.5 hours to journeys
- Review your travel plans and allow extra time for journeys
- Consider alternative routes through East Midlands Railway Intercity services
East Midlands Railway is offering shuttle services between Kettering and Corby in both directions, with connections available to the south. Passengers can also access alternative travel arrangements to destinations including Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester.
Expected Resolution
Network Rail has confirmed that repairs to the overhead wires are ongoing, with full service not expected to resume until end of service today (11 February 2026). Passengers planning evening travel should check live departure boards before travelling.
What This Means for Your Travel Plans
This disruption serves as a reminder of the importance of checking travel conditions before heading out, especially during peak hours when infrastructure issues can have wider-reaching impacts. For those planning trips to or from London and Luton this evening:
- Check service status online before travelling
- Allow significant extra time for journeys
- Consider alternative transportation if time-sensitive
- Be aware that normal service is expected to resume tomorrow morning
The situation remains fluid, with updates throughout the day. Travellers should monitor official sources for the latest information before planning their journeys.
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