Travel chaos at London Euston continues into second day after train derailment
Travel chaos has continued into its second day at London's Euston station, as passengers wake up to further cancellations and delays.
National Rail has told customers there will be major disruption to routes, including to Birmingham and Manchester, on Friday after a train derailed in the Milton Keynes Central area on Thursday.
At least 19 trains have been cancelled from Euston to Birmingham New Street until 3.30pm on Friday, with several more experiencing delays.
Nine trains bound for Manchester Piccadilly have also already been cancelled throughout the day.
National Rail said: 'A train derailed in the Milton Keynes Central area yesterday, closing some lines and continuing to disrupt services today. Trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central may be cancelled, delayed by up to 90 minutes or revised.
'Major disruption is expected to continue throughout the day.'
London Northwestern Rail said the "low speed" derailment happened in Bletchley near Milton Keynes on Thursday.
The railway operator said there were no passengers on the train and no injuries had been reported.
Milton Keynes is on the West Coast mainline, connecting London to the Midlands and North of England and Scotland.
London Northwestern Railway and Avanti West Coast operate the trains on this line.
Routes affected include Avanti West Coast services between London Euston and Birmingham New Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Manchester Piccadilly, Chester, Wrexham General, Crewe, Holyhead, Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, Blackpool North, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh.
London Northwestern Railway services between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central, Northampton, Birmingham New Street and Crewe are also affected.
Avanti West Coast said people may instead use their ticket on the following services:
London Northwestern Railway services between Rugby and Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street (via Nuneaton) in both directions.
Rugby and Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street (via Birmingham New Street) in both directions
Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent in both directions.
If your train is cancelled, your ticket is valid on one of the two Avanti West Coast services immediately before your booked train, or one of the two immediately after.
London Northwestern Railway said its customers can instead use their tickets on the following routes:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Beloved major airline is finally flying again - but it will cost you £45,000 for a seat
This week, for the first time in 34 years, a Pan Am aircraft touched down in the UK - its tail adorned with the airline's instantly recognisable 'blue globe' logo, glistening in the Stansted sunshine. The Boeing 757, with only business-class seats, had crossed the Atlantic carrying more than just passengers – it brought with it a wave of jet-set nostalgia. Pan Am – officially Pan American World Airways – was once the epitome of glamour in the skies. Founded in 1927, it revolutionised international air travel and came to symbolise American sophistication and ambition. With white-gloved service, lobster dinners, onboard lounges and elegant cabin crew in crisp blue uniforms, flying Pan Am wasn't just about getting from A to B, it was an experience. The airline was a status symbol for celebrities, diplomats, and the global elite. It pioneered long-haul international travel, operated the first regular transatlantic and transpacific services, and introduced the world to the Boeing 747. At its peak, Pan Am flew to more than 80 countries and became the very image of the Golden Age of aviation. The sight of stylish flight attendants strolling arm-in-arm with dashing pilots caused a stir in terminals around the world. But by 1991, Pan Am had collapsed – undone by financial troubles, deregulation and the Lockerbie bombing in 1988. Now, Pan Am is back – at least in spirit. American tour operator Criterion Travel, in partnership with private jet specialist Bartelings, has launched a 12-day ultra-luxury itinerary for the super-rich, reviving the Pan Am name for an immersive nostalgia trip like no other. The 'Tracing the Transatlantic' journey follows the early routes of the original Pan Am flying boats, from New York to Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Foynes in Ireland – each stop a luxurious tribute to a bygone era. Guests – just 35 of them – travel aboard a plush 757 named Yankee Clipper II, a nod to one of Pan Am's most famous flying boats. On board, vintage boarding music from the 1970's plays, cabin crew don original uniforms (complete with pillbox hats), there's an open bar and the service is straight out of the airline's glory days. Even the menus tip their hat to the past: caviar was served between Bermuda and Lisbon – though sadly, the famous chateaubriand carved at your seat is no longer an option (carving knives no longer welcome on aircraft). In Foynes, passengers get to visit the Flying Boat Museum, home to the world's only B-314 flying boat replica – once a mainstay of Pan Am's 1940s fleet. At other stops, talks have been given by past crew members reliving their younger days in the sky. Flight attendant Anna Maria Aevarsdottir, who normally flies for Icelandair, joined the project for the chance to step back in time. 'When we put on the uniform in the morning, we feel like we're part of something much bigger,' she said. 'The Pan Am women were icons of their time, very elegant, capable and adventurous. We feel really proud to be carrying on their legacy across the Atlantic.' She and her colleagues prepared by watching Pan Am documentaries, listening to aviation podcasts, and even binge-watching the Pan Am TV drama starring Margot Robbie. Among the passengers were three former Pan Am flight attendants – one even brought her original uniform and wore it to dinner. Two other travellers, sisters, were retracing their own family history: their father began his Pan Am flying career on the flying boats and retired piloting the 747. Texas couple Phil and his wife Quito Bailey are seasoned travellers but have relished this unusual odyssey. 'The most magnificent experience we've ever had travelling,' said Phil. 'We are running out of adjectives to describe it.' While not all aboard had a personal connection to the airline, Craig Carter, CEO of the revived Pan American World Airlines brand and host of the journey, summed it up: 'If they weren't Pan Am fans when they boarded, they're Pan Am true blue now.' The fare for the nostalgic all-inclusive trip? A sky-high $60,000 (£43,500) per passenger. And that's just the beginning. A 21-day Transpacific journey is planned for later this year, priced at an eye-watering $95,000 (£75,000), with a round-the-world tour coming in 2027 to mark Pan Am's 100th anniversary. For those not quite ready to splurge on that kind of airfare, more accessible tributes to the airline's legacy are in the works. A new Pan Am-themed hotel is set to open in California next year. The Pan Am Experience is an immersive dining event in LA where you can enjoy Pan Am service without leaving the ground, and talks are underway about future commercial flights. The iconic 'blue globe' is back in action – reviving the memory of when flying truly was half the fun.
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Our seaside town has been labelled the worst in Britain - but here's why all the critics calling it 'tacky' and 'run-down' are wrong
Proud seasiders in a coastal town which has been branded the worst in Britain have been hitting back against taunts about it being 'tacky' and 'run-down'. A poll by consumer group Which? has put Bognor Regis in West Sussex at the bottom of 118 UK resorts when it comes to visitors' experiences. The coastal town, first developed in the late 18th century and famed for attractions such as a Butlin's holiday camp founded in 1960, has become to some a byword for either genteel or shabby English seaside fustiness. The late George V - great-grandfather of present King Charles - is famed to have allegedly said before dying in 1936: 'Bugger Bognor.' That was supposed to be in response to aides suggested where he might go to recuperate, according to explanations on the town's Love Bognor Regis website. An alternative suggestion is that he actually uttered the words in 1928 instead, when given a petition calling on him to add the word 'Regis' to the town's official title. Bognor tends to be among England's sunniest spots, yet landed itself last in Which?'s poll of the 118 UK seaside towns - based on responses from 3,800 people. The resort earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including 'Food and drink', 'Value for money' and 'Scenery'. The West Sussex resort was described by one visitor as 'a run-down seaside town' and received a destination score of just 36 per cent. Just ahead of Bognor was Bangor in Gwynedd – up one spot from its own bottom place result in last year's corresponding survey. Clacton-on-Sea in Essex was also poorly received by holidaymakers - provided with only one star for its tourist attractions as well as food, drink and scenery. Many of the UK's best-known seaside towns performed poorly in the new poll. Skegness and Blackpool earned 54 per cent and 48 per cent destination ratings respectively, while winning only one star apiece for their scenery. Even more 'fashionable' seaside hotspots failed to win the hearts of the British public, with artsy Margate scoring 56 per cent and upmarket Brighton 61 per cent It was better news further north of the country, however, where Bamburgh in Northumberland retained its place as the nation's favourite coastal destination - coming top for the fifth consecutive year. Bamburgh scored an overall destination score of 84 per cent and was awarded five stars for its seafront and scenery. Paul Wells, who runs haberdashery firm Knit and Sew in the town centre, has described Bognor Regis as having 'a personality of its own' One visitor declared Bamburgh a 'gem', praising its 'sandy, clean beaches'. The town was also rewarded for its good value for money - according to an average night's stay in Bamburgh costs £130. Yet the Which? thumbs-down for Bognor has come as a disappointment to loyal locals there, who have now spoken up in the South Coast seaside town's defence. They pointed to the 'genuine' sense of community and the quality of life which was high in the traditional seaside town. The resort, which has a population of about 25,000, is said to be undergoing a renaissance with inward investment and building projects aimed at making it look more up-to-date. On the seafront, the Alexandra Theatre is getting a £15million rebuild, while a Victorian shopping precinct called The Arcade is about to see an £8m revamp and a new £13m Premier Inn is being built. The town's seafront promenade has also undergone a major facelift, including a walking area alongside Bognor's pebble and sand beach. Jane Steventon, 52, a Bafta-winning TV producer, moved to Bognor after a career which has seen her work in London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Wales. But when talking about Bognor, she told MailOnline: 'I love it here. It's an exciting time to be in Bognor. There's a lot of investment and opportunity here and there's a real buzz around town and a sense of excitement about what's to come. 'There's a real sense of belonging here also, a proper community vibe. 'I really don't understand where Which? has got its figures from, because it's also popular among visitors.' Ms Steventon, now a lecturer at Portsmouth University where she teaches screen writing and film production, added: 'Traditional seaside towns have seen new money coming into them in recent years. 'Margate and Hastings are just two examples and I think we're seeing the same interest in Bognor.' The Butlin's holiday camp in the town has been praised for updating its traditional image, attracting not only families but also younger crowds for Big Weekender live music events at the seaside site. One visitor said: 'It's got so much going for it. The Big Music Weekenders are brilliant and we come down with friends for those In the new Which? survey, Bognor Regis earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including 'Food and drink', 'Value for money' and 'Scenery' Supporters have insisted the coastal town can boast 'a real sense of belonging here' and 'a proper community vibe' 'I also love the shops which are quirky and not mainstream.' Paul Wells, who runs haberdashery firm Knit and Sew in the town centre, said: 'We have so much to offer and the Which? report doesn't reflect the reality here. 'Bognor has a personality of its own as it has loads and loads of independent shops and visitors flock here to take advantage of those. 'We also have the highest recorded levels of sunshine levels in the UK which bring day trippers in their droves.' Mr Wells, who has run his shop for 25 years, added: 'The seafront is being massively renovated at the moment, but once it's finished it will enhance the already wonderful beach and promenade area. 'It's also very friendly here and there's a good sense of community with people looking out for each other. 'It's also in a great location for jumping off into the South Downs or other coastal destinations and a lot of people stay here if they're visiting Goodwood or Pagham Harbour.' Mr Wells described how such seaside towns had all 'suffered since Covid', while plenty of retail sales are being diverted online - but insisted: 'I think Bognor offers a unique experience.' Bognor Regis mayor Gill Yeates (pictured), who has lived there all her life, said: 'There's a huge amount of regeneration going on in Bognor at the moment' Alison Terry, a retired maths teacher who moved to Bognor from Tunbridge Wells in Kent 30 years ago, has since raised two children in the town alongside her husband Mike - and says the sense of community there is 'second to none'. She said: 'The pace of life is much slower here - people are more reflective and able to contribute more to their communities. There's also so much going on here. 'My two children both learned to sail here and embraced that life and there are so many opportunities. 'It might be an old-fashioned seaside resort in many respects but it has evolved organically so new developments echo the old. 'The town centre has a unique charm that I haven't found anywhere else.' Ms Terry added: 'More than anything, the people are very genuine and loyal to the town and its fellow citizens. I love it here.' Bognor Regis mayor Gill Yeates, who has lived there all her life, said: 'There's a huge amount of regeneration going on in Bognor at the moment and that means there has been a lot of disruption. 'When that is complete, it will be a huge boost to the town. Bognor mayor Gill Yeates says town centre regeneration work will be a 'huge boost to the town' 'The seafront is the jewel in the crown for us and it really is a gem but Bognor offers all this at a very affordable price. It is much cheaper here than at many places down the coast.' Many of the projects are destined for completion by next year - and residents are hopeful the town could capitalise on existing popularity among those fans it does have, despite the Which? consumer poll backlash. Stuart Gray, who runs Sweet Flamingo ice creams on the seafront, said: 'Resorts are dependent on the weather and Bognor gets record-breaking sunshine. 'When it's busy here, it's very busy. I don't really understand what Which? is talking about.' THE LOWDOWN ON THE UK'S BEST AND WORST SEASIDE TOWNS By Jo Tweedy THE BEST Bamburgh, Northumberland Small but mighty, Bamburgh village, nudged up to a particularly beautiful stretch of the Northumberland coast only has around 400 residents - but, according to Which?'s latest poll the prettiest sands in the land. The downside? It attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year because of it, with locals swamped by tourists in the summer months - and parking spaces rare as hen's teeth. Its imposing castle is regarded as one of the world's most important Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites. Zoopla average property price: £464,500 Beer, Devon Another tiny village with a divine crescent of beach, this time shingle, Beer lies in Devon's East and is flanked by limestone cliffs. Once a smuggler's haven, this fishing village's closest town is Seaton, with the South West Coast Path accessible for walkers. Zoopla average property price: £454,000 So inspired was Noel Coward when he visited the folly village of Portmeirion that he wrote his play, Blithe Spirit, in just six days. This Italianate village sits against a rocky headland in North Wales and is so well preserved you have to pay to get in - £20.00 for adults, £13 for children. The beach? It's full of white sand, plus hidden caves and views out across the Dwyryd Estuary. Zoopla average property price: £171,969 St David's, Pembrokeshire St David's main beach, known as Whitesands Bay, is made up of fine, alabaster sand that merges into a rockier portion of coast, which reaches a crescendo at the craggy headland that is St David's Head. Walkers love it, as do surfers. St David's is famously the UK's smallest city with a population of around 1,750 people. Zoopla average property price: £326,108 Sidmouth, Devon At the mouth of the River Sid, 14 miles from Exeter, Sidmouth was a fishing village until the fashion for coastal resorts grew in the Regency period from 1811 to 1820. Edward VII checked into the Royal York Hotel in 1856, and when the Devon town was connected to a railway (no longer running) in 1874, well-heeled Victorians flocked there. The esplanade is lined with Grade II-listed hotels, with the 240-million-year-old Jurassic Coast just beyond it. Zoopla average property price: £489,333 AND THE WORST... Bognor Regis, West Sussex Bognor Regis is one of the UK's best-known bucket and spade seaside towns today - but it started life as a small fishing village. The town's popularity soared in the late 1800s after a railway station was built in 1864 that made the seaside hotspot much more accessible. In recent years, the resort has been known for cheap and cheerful UK breaks, with Butlins the beach's most famous place to stay. Zoopla average property price: £356,463 Bangor, North Wales The historic Welsh resort of Bangor took the unwanted number one spot in the Which? survey of worst seaside town in Britain back in May. Bangor has fallen since its heyday, with historic photos showing hundreds of people gathered to watch the opening of the pier during the Victorian period in 1896. Even as recently as 30 years ago, the area was still a beloved hub for tourists and holidaymakers, and even featured in a popular song by folk group Fiddler's Dream in 1979 named Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time). Away from the beach, Bangor has the longest high street in Wales, and is also the oldest Welsh city. Zoopla average property price: £204,661 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Another resort that's a shadow of its former self, Clacton-on-Sea was once one of Britain's thriving seaside towns - popular with Londoners who would flock to the Essex coastline for a day at the beach and fun on the pier. A decline has seen the town battling spiralling unemployment, drug use and crime - with shops on the beachfront and in the town centre closed. Zoopla average property price: £251,103 Southend-on-Sea, Essex One travel guide described this Essex coastal resort as 'Pugnacious and brash', saying 'Unless you're after tacky arcades, flash amusement rides or sleazy nightspots, there's not much to do'. There's no getting away from the fact it's still very popular though: Essex's largest town, with a population of some 175,500, hosts nearly three million visitors each year. Zoopla average property price: £339,634 Fleetwood, Lancashire Just 25 minutes from Blackpool, Fleetwood has long attracted holidaymakers with its low prices - including hotel stays that average around £73 a night - and old-school seaside charm. And while it's fared badly in Which?'s latest poll, it is in line for a £16million upgrade, including a major overhaul of the town's iconic Art Deco Marine Hall and the local leisure centre.
The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
Beat the summer rush: Simon Calder reveals everything you need to know about renewing your passport
On the eve of the peak summer season, one sad certainty is that some British travellers will be turned away from their holiday flights due to post-Brexit rules on passport validity. Sometimes airport staff will make a mistake but in the vast majority of cases the passenger will be at fault. Thankfully renewals are taking around two weeks. So people who spot a problem now and who are holidaying from the second half of July onwards should be able to rescue the situation without resorting to the expensive and inconvenient fast-track route. These are the key points for passport contentedness this summer. European Union – almost all of it Most British summer holidaymakers are going to destinations in the EU or wider Schengen area (including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). After Brexit, the UK opted to become a 'third country', placing UK passport holders on a par with those from Venezuela. That means for all EU/Schengen countries bar Denmark and Ireland, a UK passport must: Be under 10 years old on the date of entry. Have at least three months remaining on the intended day of departure. For example, a British passport issued on 1 August 2015 and valid until 1 May 2026 can be used to enter the EU up to and including 31 July 2025, for a stay of up to 90 days (but less if the holder has already spent some time in the Schengen area in the past 180 days). What's different about Denmark and Ireland? Denmark, for reasons known only to itself, imposes a stricter rule that breaches Schengen area regulations. Officials say the passport must be under 9 years 9 months on the day of arrival. The Independent has made repeated representations to Copenhagen and Brussels for Denmark to align with the Schengen rules, but to no avail. British travellers to Ireland do not need passports to enter – though Ryanair demands passengers carry valid passports, with no date stipulation. How long will it take me to get a replacement passport? Andy Anderson, who runs the Passport Waiting Time website, says: 'We've seen passport processing times for both first-time applications and renewals increase slightly over the past couple of months. However, turnaround times remain relatively quick. 'First adult passports are currently averaging 19 calendar days, while renewals are taking around 14 days.' He has developed a passport validity checker that aims to help travellers prepare for their journeys. Will I need an Etias permit? No. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias, also known as an 'e-visa') cannot take effect before October 2026 at the earliest. Etias will be introduced at least six months after the EU's much delayed entry-exit system (EES) is running smoothly. The latest plan from Brussels is that the EES will start in a limited way in October 2025, with a six-month roll out. Can I use the e-gates across Europe? Who knows? Ministers have talked plenty of tosh about Brussels agreeing to let British passengers use e-gates on arrival and departure from the Schengen area. Each nation makes its own decisions, and so the bureaucratic landscape is a patchwork. Gradually more countries are adding the UK to nationalities that can use their e-gates, but there is no uniformity. Thanks to Brexit, you will also need to be manually stamped in and out in addition to the e-gates. Incidentally, hundreds of airports across Europe have now installed entry-exit system kiosks, which some arriving passengers have confused with e-gates. They are entirely separate; the kiosks are simply to take fingerprints and facial biometrics before proceeding to the border. For many countries, your passport is valid up to and including its expiry date. These include Australia, Barbados, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Tunisia and the US. For the avoidance of doubt, the only part of the world that cares when your passport is issued is the EU. Elsewhere, only the expiry date is relevant. Ignore anyone who tells you 'British passports run out after 10 years'. Which popular destinations have trickier red tape? Turkey: "To enter Turkey, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least one blank page,' says the Foreign Office. Oddly, if you apply for a visa for Turkey, the minimum validity drops to 90 days. Morocco: 'Your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least three months after the date you arrive,' says the Foreign Office. UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi): 'Your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least six months after the date you arrive … If you're travelling through the UAE and not passing through immigration, your passport must have an expiry date at least three months after the date you will transit.'
