Posted on 08/28/2003 11:44:35 AM PDT by Hal1950
A power cut is causing major disruption through London and the South East.
Train company Connex has reported the power is out between London and Ashford, affecting services through London Bridge, Victoria, Ashford, New Cross and Bromley.
No trains are running in south London, the area which has been hardest hit, and some Tube stations have been plunged into darkness.
Some commuters were stuck underground when the power went off at about 1815 BST.
London Underground has said the blackout was having a "serious impact on the whole system".
Buses are extremely busy as commuters abandon packed Tube platforms and some travellers are still believed to be trapped on Tube trains.
The spokesman added: "There will be travellers underground. I don't know the extent of that yet. It's at the end of rush hour, the peak period, so it's a busy time."
There have been reports of power returning in Clapham, south-west London.
Businesses and homes were plunged into darkness and traffic lights went out in Brixton, Battersea and London Bridge.
Sue Gill from EDF Energy said: "It seems that one of the National Grid circuits that feeds south London has failed.
"The National Grid are currently looking into it."
She added it was difficult to predict how long it would take to restore power.
Staff at St Thomas's Hospital, in south-east London are reportedly relying on back-up power generators.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said the power cut would not cause major problems.
He said: "All NHS hospitals have back up generators. They will be able to cope."
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