Lines blocked and delays mount following Portchester train incident

Rail services along the south coast are severely disrupted after a train struck an obstruction at Portchester, leaving the affected service unable to move. The driver examined the train at the scene and confirmed it could not continue, immediately impacting movements on the surrounding lines.

With the train immobilised, the line towards Portsmouth and Havant has been blocked entirely. Trains heading in the direction of Fareham have been instructed to operate at reduced speeds, adding further delays to an already congested route. Services between Fareham and Portsmouth Harbour or Havant are expected to be delayed by up to 30 minutes or altered, with major disruption forecast to continue until at least 22:00.

Southern confirmed that the incident has forced changes to its Brighton to Southampton Central services. At present, no trains are able to run out of Southampton Central, meaning services cannot operate towards that destination.

As a result, several temporary timetable amendments have been introduced. Trains that normally run between Barnham and Bognor Regis have been suspended in both directions, while services between Brighton and Southampton Central are instead terminating and restarting from Bognor Regis.

Passengers have been advised that ticket acceptance has been arranged across multiple operators and routes, although travelling via alternative lines may increase journey times. Southern has suggested allowing at least an extra 30 minutes.

South Western Railway has also confirmed that ticket acceptance is in place on various routes and operators and said efforts are under way to source rail replacement transport. Passengers have been warned that alternative arrangements and ticket acceptance can be withdrawn at short notice and are urged to check with their chosen operator before setting out.

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