Signalling Fault Strands Thousands at London Euston

Thousands of passengers endured severe disruptions at London Euston station on Friday evening after a major signalling fault halted train services on the West Coast Main Line, stranding commuters during the peak rush hour.

The issue, which began around 2 p.m. in the Stafford area and extended to nearby sections including Stoke-on-Trent and between Birmingham New Street and Crewe, affected multiple operators. Avanti West Coast, the primary service provider on the route, suspended all departures from Euston heading north, impacting journeys to Manchester, Liverpool, Holyhead, Preston, Scotland, and north Wales. Officials reported that the fault blocked lines and caused widespread cancellations, with services resuming only partially by late evening but still facing delays of up to 90 minutes.

Eyewitness accounts described scenes of overcrowding inside and outside the station, with videos shared online showing long queues and frustrated travelers gathered around information boards. British Transport Police and Network Rail staff implemented crowd control measures at entrances and exits to manage the buildup, which one passenger described as "absolute carnage." Reports indicated more...