Travel alert: Major delays and cancellations at Bedford and Luton until 8pm on Monday night

Passengers face a battle to get home home from London tonight as train operator Thameslink is warning of major disruption on services to Luton and Bedford all day on Monday.

Power supply problems in central London have closed one line through Faringdon station.

Northbound and southbound trains are now sharing one line between St Pancras International and London Blackfriars.

A Thameslink spokesman said: "An intermitant problem with the electricity supply at Farringdon means that urgent repairs are necessary.

"We initially believed service disruption via. Farringdon had since cleared, however the electricity supply seems to failed again.

"Our ground teams are currently investigating and we hope to get services back on the move as quickly as possible but please be advised that we are now anticipating service disruption until 20:00 this evening.

"Engineers will need to close one of the two lines through the area from around midday. We will be running a severely reduced service on the other line — with trains taking it in turns to operate alternately in both directions.

"Our control teams are continually amending journey planners so please check before and during travel for late notice changes."

Bedford to Brighton services calling at Luton will still run but with major delays. Trains between Bedford and Gatwick Airport and Luton and Rainham will all be cancelled.

The Thameslink spokesman added: "Please leave up to an hour of extra time for your journey and check the status of your train before you go to the station.

"If your train is cancelled or no longer calling at your required station, please consider an alternative route.

"Remember that due to the disruption, you may need to wait longer than usual for a service on your alternative route, as trains or buses may be busier and social distancing will need to be maintained.

"Late-running trains may also be revised to call at fewer stations en route. Please check station departure screens carefully and listen to all announcements.

"Passengers may be entitled to compensation for any delays to journeys today."