Disruption has affected travel on the Elizabeth line in London all day on one of the hottest days of the year.
It’s been a sticky day for travel on the Tube after some lines were blocked, with services on the Elizabeth line suspended most of the day.
The disruption was caused by a fault with a maintenance train which leaked fluid on the tracks following engineering works, TfL told Metro.co.uk.
While the central section of the line has now reopened, delays are likely until 4pm as service recovers.
Elsewhere, two Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested at Heathrow Airport, and the M5 was closed in both directions after a serious crash that left one person injured.
.dmg-liveblog__entry-container{border:1px solid #bbb;border-radius:2px;margin:1rem 0;padding:10px 15px}.dmg-liveblog__entry img{height:auto;max-width:100%}.dmg-liveblog__load-more{background:#000;border:0;color:#fff;cursor:pointer;padding:.5rem;scroll-margin:1rem;width:100%}.dmg-liveblog__key-event{cursor:pointer}.dmg-liveblog__key-events{list-style-type:none;margin:0;padding:0}.dmg-liveblog__key-event:before{content:”0BB”;margin-right:5px}.dmg-liveblog__share-tools{display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin:1rem 0 0}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon{cursor:pointer;height:24px;margin-right:10px;position:relative;width:24px}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon-link:after{content:”Copied”;left:calc(100% + 5px);line-height:24px;opacity:0;position:absolute;transition:opacity 1s cubic-bezier(0,1,0,1)}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon-link.dmg-liveblog__social-icon-link–copied:after{opacity:1}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon svg{height:100%;width:100%}.dmg-liveblog__queue p{background:#edffed;border:1px solid #bbb;border-radius:2px;cursor:pointer;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;margin:1rem 0;padding:5px 15px}.dmg-liveblog__order-selector{align-items:center;display:flex}.dmg-liveblog__order-selector label{margin-right:5px}.dmg-liveblog__loader{text-align:center}.dmg-liveblog__loader span{-webkit-animation:dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate 1s linear infinite;animation:dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate 1s linear infinite;border:5px solid;border-color:#000 #000 transparent;border-radius:50%;box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;height:48px;width:48px}@-webkit-keyframes dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate{0%{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg)}to{-webkit-transform:rotate(1turn);transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate{0%{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg)}to{-webkit-transform:rotate(1turn);transform:rotate(1turn)}}
Woman says she feels ‘let down’ after Elizabeth line disruption
Elizabeth line reopens but delays likely
Passengers react to Elizabeth line chaos
Flights cancelled at Heathrow Airport
M5 reopens after serious crash
Elizabeth line disruption until afternoon
Serious crash closes M5
Just Stop Oil targets Heathrow Airport
Trains to Heathrow disrupted until midday
Chaos on the Tube after severe disruption
Woman says she feels ‘let down’ after Elizabeth line disruption
Passengers across London were left scrambling for alternative transport after issues plagued Elizabeth line most of today.
Lucille Kavanagh, 35, said she felt ‘let down’ after the disruption caused ‘significant stress’ as she almost missed her train from Euston on her way from Hanwell station.
The procurement manager told Metro.co.uk: ‘This morning caused significant stress as I had a train to catch out of Euston which I couldn’t miss.
She claimed the entire Paddington station was ‘rammed with people and police were present to try and get commuters back on the underground safely.’
Lucille continued: ‘When I finally got down into the underground there were queues for the trains as people fought to get on. I ended up having to take an additional two trains, everyone was hot, sweaty, and miserable with many of us facing a full day of work already frazzled.’
Elizabeth line reopens but delays likely
The central section of Elizabeth line has now reopened after service was suspended on most of the line at 7am.
But some disruption is likely until 4pm as service recovers, TfL said.
Passengers react to Elizabeth line chaos
The busy line through central London has had severe delays since 7am after a maintenance train leaked fluid on tracks.
There is currently no Elizabeth line service at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House and Woolwich.
Passengers reacted to the disruption on X.
Flights cancelled at Heathrow Airport
Some flights have been cancelled from Heathrow Airport today.
The following Heathrow flights have been axed today according to Flightradar24.
at 7.05am to Glasgow
at 7.10am to Milan
at 11.55am to Perth
at 10pm to Beirut
The cancellations are unrelated to the Just Stop Oil protest at Heathrow Terminal 5 this morning.
M5 reopens after serious crash
The motorway has reopened in both directions after the serious crash earlier.
One person was rushed to the hospital by land ambulance, the police said.
Most lanes are now open south and northbound between J23 and J24 near Bridgwater, while the outside lanes in both directions remain shut to facilitate barrier repairs to central reservation.
Drivers should still expect residual delays of up to 60 minutes before traffic improves.
Avon and Somerset Police appealed for witnesses to the collision.
Those with any information or dashcam footage should call 101 and quote reference 5224198427.
Elizabeth line disruption until afternoon
There is currently no service Elizabeth line service between Abbey Wood and Paddington station, and severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Airport and Reading.
Disruption is expected at least until 3pm.
This is because the delayed finish of engineering works.
A TfL spokesperson said: ‘We apologise to Elizabeth line customers for the disruption to their journeys this morning. This was caused by a fault with an engineering train overnight. We are working as quickly as possible to restore a normal service.’
Air ambulance lands on M5
National Highways said an air ambulance has landed after the crash on the M5.
All emergency services are in attendance and the the southbound carriageway between J23 and J24 remains closed.
The number of casualties is not yet known, but traffic expert Inrix said a van was involved driving from J23 (A39, Bridgwater North) to J24 (A38, Taunton Road).
One lane has reopened on the northbound carriageway, while three remain closed for barrier repairs.
There are around 60-minute delays north and south, National Highways said.
Serious crash closes M5
The M5 in Somerset has closed after a serious crash this morning.
The motorway is closed between J23 and J24 near Bridgwater after the incident.
Traffic was caught in the closure after emergency services shut all lanes in both directions.
Drivers should told to expect delays, and diversions are in place.
Are flights at Heathrow Airport affected by Just Stop Oil?
The Just Stop Oil protest today happened during peak summer holiday travel season.
But it has not disrupted flights at Terminal 5.
Heathrow Airport said the protest incident was resolved ‘quickly,’ and the departure board did not show any cancellations from T5.
A spokesperson for the airport told Metro.co.uk: ‘The airport continues to operate as normal and passengers are travelling as planned.
‘We are in full agreement that the aviation industry needs to decarbonise, but unlawful and irresponsible protest activity is not the way forward and will not be tolerated.’
Protesters arrested at Heathrow Airport
Just Stop Oil protesters were removed from the airport after activists doused Terminal 5 in the group’s signature orange paint.
Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and officers will remain in the area to look out for further protest, the Met Police said.
The force said: ‘Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after orange paint was sprayed on passenger information screens and on the floor inside Terminal 5 at Heathrow.
‘Officers remain in the area to deal with any further offences.’
Today’s protest comes after a string of action in the UK by Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion and other climate groups across Europe.
Just Stop Oil is calling for an end to fossil fuel use by 2030, and the group is known for its stunts targeting roads and airports.
Just Stop Oil targets Heathrow Airport
Just Stop Oil supporters have targeted Heathrow again – just days after protesters tried to storm a runway at the busy airport.
Activists were seen spraying orange paint on the windows, walls and the departure board in Terminal 5 this morning before staging a sit-down protest.
It comes after the group blocked the departure area at Gatwick Airport yesterday.
Crash on the M25 at Dartford Crossing
A crash on the M25 is causing delays on the motorway near Dartford Crossing.
One lane has closed on the A13 eastbound exit slip to the M25 after a crash.
Traffic is expected to return to normal by 10.30am.
Trains to Heathrow disrupted until midday
The chaos on the London Underground has also affected trains between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals and Abbey Wood on the Elizabeth line.
Major disruption is expected until 12 noon.
National Rail said: ‘Overunning engineering works between London Paddington and Whitechapel means all lines are blocked.
‘As a result service is suspended between London Paddington and Stratford / Abbey Wood.’
There is currently no Elizabeth line service at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House and Woolwich.
Have you been affected by the disruption this morning? Please email [email protected].
Chaos on the Tube after severe disruption
Passengers on the London Underground have had a nightmare this morning after several Tube lines were hit by disruption.
Commuters struggled to get around the city at rush hour after Here are all the lines affected.
No service clockwise and severe delays anticlockwise due to a points failure at Edgware Road.
No service between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington due to the points failure.
No service between Abbey Wood / Paddington, and severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Airport due to late finish of engineering works.
Severe delays due to the points failure at Edgware.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.