by Chris Price

Hundreds of commuters travelling to Gravesham and the Medway Towns were left stranded when their trains stopped running due to heavy storms last night.

Commuters travelling on the Charing Cross to Gillingham line were told by rail staff to get off their train after waiting in their carriages for around 10 minutes at Dartford as lightning affected the service.

They were told a replacement bus service would be put in place but staff did not know when this would start.

Commuters said all trains were stopping at Dartford before turning around and going back into London. The full extent of the disruption has not yet been confirmed by National Rail.

Nora Sharples, 48, of Kings Way, Chatham would have had to pay £45 to get a taxi home.

“I cannot claim that back from National Rail because it is an act of God” she said.

“I had to go into my overdraft to draw out enough money for a taxi home.

“What angers me is this weather has been a part of this country forever. This is a part of British life and the storms have been predicted all week. Why were there no immediate contingency plans in place?”

Mike Garvey, 52, of Aintree Road, Chatham uses the train every day commuting to work in Waterloo. He said “It is the lack of information that is frustrating. We sat on the train for 10 to 15 minutes and were then just told to get off.

“They said a bus service was coming but had no idea when. The train operator had no idea what was going on. There was not even an approximate time.”