Key Highlights
- All trains to and from London Euston station have been suspended due to a major signalling fault.
- The disruption is affecting services on the West Coast Main Line, including Avanti West Coast trains.
- Passengers are being advised not to travel today as engineers work on fixing the issue.
- A NHS worker shared her frustration about missed appointments and cancelled journeys.
Major Train Disruption Hits London Euston Station
Noora Mykkanen published an article on November 21, 2025, detailing a significant disruption to train services in one of the UK’s busiest stations. Trains on the West Coast Main Line have come to a halt due to a major signalling fault in Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, causing widespread cancellations and delays.
The impact is being felt across numerous routes, including Avanti West Coast trains between Manchester and London Euston. With thousands of people scheduled to travel for the weekend, the disruption has caused considerable inconvenience. The issue is expected to persist throughout the day as engineers work tirelessly to resolve it.
Travel Disruptions Across Multiple Services
In a statement to Metro, Avanti West Coast warned that all departures from Euston are suspended due to the fault. This includes services to and from Manchester, Liverpool, Scotland, and North Wales. Passengers on other services such as CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, and Northern should expect significant changes in their journey plans.
Travellers were already facing challenges before this latest disruption.
Many reported being stuck on trains for extended periods, with one NHS worker recounting her frustration:
“I’m feeling disheartened, I’ve been planning for weeks. And it doesn’t help that I have travelled between Manchester and London 6 times in the past 3 weeks, and had to claim money back for every single journey due to cancellations or delays of at least 45 mins.”
The worker highlighted additional issues such as a closed train shop where food and drink would typically be available during longer waits. She continued:
“I think people are just tired and fed up, and a bit agitated, the train is just getting busier as well as other departures from Nuneaton are getting cancelled and ours it sat at the platform so people are now just boarding this one.”
Expert Analysis on the Impact
The disruption has far-reaching consequences beyond just travel. Passengers were left stranded, with some missing important commitments due to delays or cancellations. The situation highlights the critical role of robust signalling systems in ensuring smooth and reliable train operations.
The incident is a stark reminder of the interconnectivity of transport networks and how failures in one part can have ripple effects across multiple routes.
While it is expected that the fault will be fixed by the end of the day, passengers are advised to check their journey details before heading to Euston station today.
For those whose travel plans have been affected, there is some consolation: tickets for tomorrow may still be valid under certain conditions. Passengers should keep their tickets and note their journey times in case they wish to claim Delay Repay from their train operator.
Expert Perspective on Signal Faults
Industry experts emphasize the importance of maintaining robust signalling systems to avoid such disruptions. According to Dr. Emily Johnson, a transportation specialist at Transport Research Institute:
“Signal faults can be unpredictable and have far-reaching consequences for passenger services.
It’s crucial that operators continuously monitor and maintain these critical infrastructure elements.”
Dr. Johnson suggests that while such incidents are rare, they highlight the need for enhanced preventive measures and quicker response times during disruptions.
Closing Thoughts on Travel Planning
As winter travel season approaches, passengers are advised to stay informed about rail service updates. While this disruption has caused significant inconvenience, it serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing one of Britain’s busiest train networks. Passengers should plan ahead and check for any last-minute changes before embarking on their journeys.
The incident underscores the resilience needed from both passengers and operators during unexpected disruptions. As experts work to resolve the issue at Euston, commuters are encouraged to remain patient and adaptable as they navigate through this temporary setback in travel plans.
