TRAINS services in Kent and East Sussex are being severely disrupted today by a major lineside fire in the New Cross area of south-east London.

The incident has meant widespread delays and cancellations and the situation is expected to last well into the evening.

Southeastern's passengers are being advised to check before making journeys and to allow plenty of extra time for possible delays and onward travel.

Due to the chemical nature of the fire and the risk of explosions a 500 metre exclusion zone was imposed by emergency services, and this meant no trains were able to approach London Bridge from stations in Kent and East Sussex.

Mainline services have been diverted into London Victoria, with the exception of trains from Hastings via Tunbridge Wells, which were diverted via Redhill in order to reach London Charing Cross. But this added at least 30 minutes to normal journey times.

On suburban Metro routes, half-hourly shuttles were operated on all routes, running into London Victoria and London Blackfriars.

Shuttle trains were operated between London Charing Cross, London Waterloo East, London Cannon Street and London Bridge to help relieve congestion within the capital.

Southeastern tickets were also honoured by London Transport on buses, the Underground and Docklands Light Railway.

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