News / National
UK hit by serious power failure
09 Aug 2019 at 13:55hrs | Views
Major power failures have been reported across large areas of the UK, affecting homes and transport networks.
National Grid said it was caused by issues with two power generators but the problem was now resolved.
Blackouts were reported across the South East, Midlands, South West, North East and Wales.
Trains were delayed and cancelled across England and Wales, and the drop in power affected traffic lights in London.
At the height of the Friday rush hour, all trains out of King's Cross were suspended.
The BBC's Emma Petrie said there was a Tannoy announcement asking passengers to leave the station.
Boards at Waterloo station showed no trains departing on any platforms.
Passengers at Newcastle Airport said the power cut out for around 15 minutes, but Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports said they had not been affected.
Scott McKenzie, 31, from Cardiff, said "various alarms were going off" at Newcastle Airport.
"We were literally plunged into darkness and people were using their phones as torches to see and get around," he added.
UK Power Networks said: "We're aware of a power cut affecting large parts of London and the South East."
Western Power Distribution said it was working on the issue and expects to have power restored by 18:30 BST.
Network Rail said all trains had been stopped after a "power surge on the National Grid" but its signalling system had come back online.
Passengers have been warned to expect delays.
Thameslink said most of its trains were currently at a standstill between London and Bedford.
British Transport Police said it had sent officers to "several" train stations to provide assistance to travellers.
A spokeswoman for Transport for London said some traffic lights in the capital were "not working" but the scale of the problem was not yet known.
Ipswich Hospital said it was being affected by the power cut in that area, as its back-up generator had failed to work.
A hospital spokeswoman said staff were working "flat out" to keep patients safe.
National Grid said it was caused by issues with two power generators but the problem was now resolved.
Blackouts were reported across the South East, Midlands, South West, North East and Wales.
Trains were delayed and cancelled across England and Wales, and the drop in power affected traffic lights in London.
At the height of the Friday rush hour, all trains out of King's Cross were suspended.
The BBC's Emma Petrie said there was a Tannoy announcement asking passengers to leave the station.
Boards at Waterloo station showed no trains departing on any platforms.
Passengers at Newcastle Airport said the power cut out for around 15 minutes, but Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports said they had not been affected.
Scott McKenzie, 31, from Cardiff, said "various alarms were going off" at Newcastle Airport.
"We were literally plunged into darkness and people were using their phones as torches to see and get around," he added.
The whole of Newcastle airport in lockdown after a power cut throughout. Great start to the holiday. We were just about to check in too. pic.twitter.com/lXeTvhEj04
— Richy Lavender (@richylavender) August 9, 2019
UK Power Networks said: "We're aware of a power cut affecting large parts of London and the South East."
Western Power Distribution said it was working on the issue and expects to have power restored by 18:30 BST.
Network Rail said all trains had been stopped after a "power surge on the National Grid" but its signalling system had come back online.
Passengers have been warned to expect delays.
Thameslink said most of its trains were currently at a standstill between London and Bedford.
British Transport Police said it had sent officers to "several" train stations to provide assistance to travellers.
A spokeswoman for Transport for London said some traffic lights in the capital were "not working" but the scale of the problem was not yet known.
Ipswich Hospital said it was being affected by the power cut in that area, as its back-up generator had failed to work.
A hospital spokeswoman said staff were working "flat out" to keep patients safe.
Source - BBC
