Railway lines reopened after goods train broke down

Trains running through Surrey and Sussex are returning to normal after morning disruption caused by a freight train breakdown, rail operators have said.

Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink services were disrupted until 12:00 GMT on Monday.

A freight train broke down between East Croydon and London Victoria, but the disruption affected services to and from the capital in the south east.

Gatwick Express services between London Victoria and Brighton via Gatwick Airport were among the first services to be suspended.

Southern services between Reigate and Victoria and stopping services between Gatwick and Victoria were also cancelled, as were services to Eastbourne and Epsom.

The operator said trains between Portsmouth Harbour/Bognor Regis and Victoria only ran to Gatwick Airport.

Ticket acceptance continued between Southern, Thameslink, South Western Railways, Great Western Railways and West Midlands trains during the disruption.

The operators said passengers arriving at their destination late by more than 15 minutes will be entitled to compensation.