Two lines reopen after trackside fire disruption

Two lines running through Brockley have reopened after a fire next to the line, National Rail has said, but some disruption continues.

Services running through London Bridge were severely disrupted throughout Tuesday due to the incident, Network Rail said.

Southern, Thameslink and London Overground services in south and south-east London remain partly suspended after lines between New Cross Gate and Sydenham were closed while emergency services tackled the flames.

The fire, which started at about 04:00 BST, was put out within an hour but two lines remain closed due to "significant damage to signalling cables".

In an update on Thursday night, National Rail said Network Rail has "completed some repairs, and reopened two of the four lines, but there will continue to be some delays and service changes".

Earlier Chris Fowler, joint network operations director for Network Rail and train operators Thameslink and Southern, said: “We’re incredibly sorry for the disruption passengers are experiencing."

He added: "There has been significant damage to signalling cables which are critical for the safe running of the railway."

Passengers are advised to avoid travelling into London Bridge station and to make their journeys via Victoria instead.

Network Rail's travel advice is as follows:

• Southern trains heading into the capital will either be diverted, cancelled or stop at East Croydon and trains running between London Victoria and London Bridge will be cancelled. Victoria services are otherwise unaffected
• Thameslink services running through the area will be cancelled or diverted away from London Bridge to run between East Croydon and London Blackfriars
• London Overground services between West Croydon and New Cross Gate and between Dalston Junction and Highbury & Islington are suspended
• Passengers can use tickets on alternative bus and train routes, including the Gatwick Express

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