Southern Western Railway customers asked 'not to travel' on train network due to signalling chaos; check alternative routes for smooth commute

South Western Railway has asked customers not to try to travel across its network following major signalling problems at London Waterloo. "Very few trains" could move in and out of the station, and it had left trains and crews "already displaced," it said. The train operating company has issued a 'do not travel' message to customers after the problems left 14 platforms at Waterloo out of action.

According to a spokesperson, it was because of "significantly limiting capacity." "While we are hoping to restore some services later in the day, these are still likely to be subject to delays and alterations," they said. "Customers should please check back for updates. We are very sorry for the disruption to journeys this morning," the company said.

The signalling system issue means that platforms 1-14 in London Waterloo are not in use until the end of the day. Some lines are blocked. "As a result, trains running to and from the station may be delayed by up to 90 minutes or cancelled," according to National Rail. "Passengers are advised NOT TO TRAVEL to and from this station until further notice," it further stated.

National Rail shared a list of alternative routes

As the signalling issues halted the services, National Rail has shared a list of alternative routes. “You may use your ticket onboard the following services at no extra cost: ▪️CrossCountry between Reading and Bournemouth ▪️Falcon Buses 28 between Guildford - Worplesdon - Brookwood - Woking ▪️Falcon Buses 436 between Woking - West Byfleet - Byfleet & New Haw - Weybridge ▪️Falcon Buses 514 and 515 between Kingston - Surbiton - Thames Ditton - Esher - Hersham - Walton-on-Thames - Weybridge ▪️Falcon Buses 456 between Staines - Chertsey - Addlestone - West Byfleet - Woking ▪️Falcon Buses 479 between Guildford - Clandon - Horsley - Effingham Village - Bookham - Leatherhead - Ashtead - Epsom ▪️Falcon Buses 408 between Cobham - Oxshott - Leatherhead - Ashtead - Epsom,” the National Rail said in a post on X.

“▪️Great Western Railway: - Between Guildford and Reading - Between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids - Between Basingstoke and Reading - Between Salisbury and Westbury
- Between Weymouth and Westbury▪️London Buses between London Waterloo - Clapham Junction - Wimbledon - Subiton - Kingston - Hampton Court - Weybridge - Epsom - Shepperton,” it further stated.



The tickets that were booked for today will be valid tomorrow (Tuesday, July 22, 2025) due to the major disruption. “Due to the level of disruption, any unused tickets valid for today, 21 July, will be valid for travel tomorrow, 22 July,” National Rail said. Train service to London Waterloo is witnessing a signalling problem today (Tuesday, July 21, 2025) with lots of delays and cancellations. National Rail has told passengers, "Do not travel."