London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Mar 22, 2026

Queen funeral CHAOS as London train line blocked leaving mourners stranded

Queen funeral CHAOS as London train line blocked leaving mourners stranded

MOURNERS travelling into London for the Queen’s funeral were severely disrupted after trains into a major station were cancelled.

Damage to overhead electric wires between Paddington Station and Slough have caused all services on the line to be halted.

Commuters were forced to abandon trains as they were cancelled


Passengers on the 6.25am train from Paddington to Slough were stuck for more than two hours just outside the London station with GWR confirming they had evacuated the train.

Travellers face cancellations and delays, with anyone wanting to travel into the capital told to expect delays up until 9am tomorrow morning.

Slough is a change point between Paddington and Windsor and Eton Central – one of two overland stations that serve Windsor Castle, which is to be the monarch's final resting place after a procession from London on Monday afternoon.

The disruption has also impacted the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services, halting all trains heading in and out of London.

Large crowds have been pictured at the station as people struggle to get home after the funeral.

Commuters at Reading were forced to leave trains as they were cancelled due to the fault.

Passengers waiting at Slough were advised to travel to Windsor and take a South Western Railway train to Waterloo.

Transport for London (TfL) has urged travellers to change at Hammersmith and take the Piccadilly Line instead.

There was also some disruption at Euston as a suspected power outage switched off departure boards for a short time.

Great Western Railways (GWR) said in a Twitter message from their customer service account: “Due to damage to overhead wires, all lines between Slough and Paddington are blocked.

“Train services running to or from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 90 minutes."

An update on Paddington Station's website says that disruption is expected until 9am tomorrow, with every train on the line cancelled.

GWR apologised to customers in a further statement, adding: "We are very sorry for the disruption this morning, and are working hard to get services running as soon as possible."

As many as two million people are estimated to have made their way to London to watch the funeral and many central locations were "extremely busy,” according to City Hall.

“The areas in and around Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Whitehall, St James’s Park and Green Park are extremely busy,” it said.

TfL boss Andy Byford described the event as "probably one of the busiest days Transport for London has ever faced". He added that the service had prepared for up to a million extra visitors to areas around the Royal Parks.

Mr Byford said that non-essential meetings were postponed and people from across the organisation working to ensure visitors can “get around the city”.

Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy said: “This is the biggest public transport operation since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and we’re working closely with all train operators to run extra trains through the day and into the night."

“To help us provide the best possible experience and avoid lengthy queues at stations we’re asking people not to rush home after the funeral and the processions, but to take their time and experience London on this memorable day.”

More than 100 Heathrow Airport flights were cancelled to prevent aircraft noise disturbing proceedings at Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle.

The fault has led to chaos at major stations

Delays are expected until 9am tomorrow

Travellers on the Elizabeth Line also faced disruption

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Meghan Markle’s Possible UK Return Sparks Renewed Attention on Sussex Role
Starmer Convenes Urgent Talks on Cost-of-Living Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
Starmer Convenes Urgent Talks on Cost-of-Living Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
UK Investors Eye Bargain Shares Ahead of ISA Deadline Amid Market Volatility
UK Investors Eye Bargain Shares Ahead of ISA Deadline Amid Market Volatility
Northern Lights Expected Over UK Skies Tonight Amid Strong Solar Activity
UK Condemns Iran Missile Strike and Warns Against Threats to British Personnel
UK Warns of Global Flight Disruptions as Iran Conflict Escalates Under Trump’s Leadership
UK Condemns Iran After Missile Strike Targets Strategic Diego Garcia Base
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in UK Reinforces Urgency of Vaccination Campaigns
Iran Launches Long-Range Missile Strike on Remote US-UK Base, Signaling Expanded Reach
Iran Launches Long-Range Missile Strike on Remote US-UK Base, Signaling Expanded Reach
UK Rules Out Cyprus Base Role in Joint US Self-Defence Framework
UK Ends Hereditary Peerage Rights in Parliament in Historic Constitutional Reform
Lord Walney Warns of Expanding Iranian Influence Networks Within the United Kingdom
Iranian National Among Two Arrested After Attempt to Access UK Nuclear Submarine Base
Deregulation, Artificial Intelligence, and Fraud Laws Reshape UK Financial Services Landscape
UK Considers Lower Speed Limits to Reduce Fuel Use Amid Escalating Energy Crisis
UK Borrowing Costs Surge to Post-Crisis High as Markets React to Inflation and War Risks
UK Government Prepares Emergency Economic Measures as Iran Conflict Fuels Financial Risks
Meningitis B Outbreak in the UK Raises Urgent Health Warnings as Cases Surge
Iran Issues Stark Warning to Britain Over US Base Access Amid Expanding Conflict
United Kingdom Authorizes US Strikes from British Bases as Iran Threatens Key Shipping Routes
Reform UK Suspends Scottish Candidate Following Financial Misconduct Allegations
Apple issues an unusual warning: this is how your iPhone can be hacked without you doing anything
UK and Nigeria Reach Agreement to Accelerate Return of Irregular Migrants
UK Sets New Aid Priorities Following Significant Budget Reductions
Cyprus President Urges Open Dialogue Over Future of British Sovereign Base Areas
Cyprus President Urges Open Dialogue Over Future of British Sovereign Base Areas
UK Plans 50% Steel Tariffs in Bold Move to Protect Domestic Industry
Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through UK Economy as Energy Costs and Trade Risks Surge
UK Health Officials Warn Kent Meningitis Outbreak Still Active as Cases Continue to Rise
UK Climate Progress Faces Scrutiny Over Reliance on Carbon Accounting Methods
UK Deploys Advisers to United States to Shape Plan for Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Amazon Bets on AI-Driven Alexa Upgrade to Revive UK Smart Speaker Market
UK Abortion Law Changes Spark Strong Response from Church Leaders and Pro-Life Advocates
UK Abortion Law Changes Spark Strong Response from Church Leaders and Pro-Life Advocates
GB News Faces Regulatory Complaints Over On-Air Remarks on ‘Genocide’ Claims
UK Signals Expanded Support for Gulf Allies as Iranian Attacks Intensify Regional Threats
UK VAT Decision Opens Path for Potential Refunds to U.S. Biopharma Firms
UK and Canada Advance ‘Middle Power’ Strategy to Shape Global Influence Beyond Superpowers
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Holds Back on Hormuz Escort Mission While Continuing Talks with Allies
TrumpRx Pricing Platform Faces Scrutiny as Some Medicines Remain Costlier Than in the UK
UK, Netherlands and Finland Explore Joint Defence Investment Bank to Boost Military Capability
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in Kent Raises Alarm as Cases Surge and Emergency Response Expands
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
×