Key Points
- A signalling fault at Foxton in Cambridgeshire has caused a complete failure of the signalling system, halting all trains between Royston (Hertfordshire) and Cambridge.
- Lines have reopened, but disruption persists as “a large number of trains and crews are no longer in the correct places”, expected until 15:00 GMT.
- Thameslink services between London Kings Cross and Cambridge, via Great Northern route, affected, impacting stations including Cambridge, Ely, and King’s Lynn.
- Trains between Royston and Cambridge may face delays of up to 30 minutes, cancellations, or revisions during recovery.
- Great Northern King’s Lynn route services continue impacted due to misplaced trains and crews.
- National Rail reports delays up to 30 minutes between Hitchin and Cambridge due to reduced speed on the line towards Cambridge from Foxton signalling fault.
- Incident reported on 14 January 2026 at 11:56, last updated 12:27; disruption expected until 13:30 (adjusted contextually).
- Affected operators: Great Northern (London Kings Cross to Cambridge, Ely, Kings Lynn; Brighton to Cambridge) and Thameslink.
- Customer advice: Allow 15 extra minutes, use tickets on alternative services including Greater Anglia between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge/Ely.
- Signalling fault due to track circuit failure detecting trains, requiring drivers to stop at red signals and proceed at reduced speed with verbal permission.
- Network Rail investigating electronic issues or track obstructions; compensation available via Delay Repay for qualifying delays.
Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) Feb 16, 2026 – A complete failure of the signalling system at Foxton has triggered widespread rail disruption between Royston in Hertfordshire and Cambridge, with services expected to face delays for hours. Thameslink and Great Northern trains to and from London Kings Cross, serving Cambridge, Ely, and King’s Lynn, are among those affected as crews and trains remain displaced. National Rail Enquiries warns passengers to anticipate up to 30-minute delays during recovery operations.
What Caused the Rail Disruption in Cambridgeshire?
As detailed by National Rail Enquiries in their incident report,
“a fault with the signalling system in the Foxton area means trains have to run at a reduced speed on the line towards Cambridge.”
The fault involves track circuits that detect trains; if a circuit fails, “the system may think a train is still there, blocking others from moving forward.” Drivers must
“stop at red signals and get verbal permission to proceed at a reduced speed, which can cause significant delays, especially in areas with long track sections,”
the report explains. Network Rail engineers are investigating potential electronic issues or track obstructions as the root cause.
Earlier, BBC News reported a “complete failure” of the signalling infrastructure at Foxton, preventing any trains from operating between Royston and Cambridge until lines reopened.
Which Train Operators and Routes Are Affected?
Thameslink services operating between London Kings Cross and Cambridge, utilising the Great Northern route through Hertfordshire, are heavily impacted, according to National Rail. Stations such as Cambridge, Ely, and King’s Lynn face knock-on effects from the crew and train displacements.
Great Northern services are also disrupted, particularly the King’s Lynn route, where “some trains and crews remain out of position within the network,” as stated by the operator via BBC. National Rail specifies routes affected include Great Northern between Brighton/London Kings Cross and Cambridge, London Kings Cross and Ely/Kings Lynn, and Thameslink between Brighton and Cambridge. Trains between Hitchin and Cambridge are running at reduced speeds, leading to delays.
How Long Will the Disruption Last and What Delays Can Passengers Expect?
Disruption is expected until 15:00 GMT, with “a large number of trains and crews no longer in the correct places,” per BBC coverage of Thameslink’s update. Trains operating between Royston and Cambridge “may experience delays of up to 30 minutes, may be canceled, or may undergo revisions,” Thameslink indicated.
National Rail’s report aligns, noting delays up to 30 minutes between Hitchin and Cambridge, with the incident expected until 13:30, though broader recovery extends further. Passengers are advised to “leave approximately 15 minutes more time to complete your journey.”
What Advice Has Been Issued to Passengers?
National Rail Enquiries recommends:
“You can use your planned route to travel, however, it is recommended leaving approximately 15 minutes more time to complete your journey.”
Tickets are valid at no extra cost on alternative Thameslink and Great Northern services on any reasonable route, plus Greater Anglia between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge/Ely.
Thameslink, as quoted by BBC, urged caution during recovery:
“while services are in the process of recovery, trains operating between these stations may experience delays of up to 30 minutes.”
Check live updates via National Rail apps, journey planners, or operator sites.
Are There Any Replacement Services or Alternative Routes?
National Rail confirms ticket acceptance on Greater Anglia services between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge/Ely, providing viable alternatives for affected passengers. No specific rail replacement buses are mentioned for this Foxton incident, but passengers can use alternative operator services “on any reasonable route towards your destination.”
Live network maps are available on National Rail’s site to identify affected segments.
What Compensation Is Available for Delays?
“You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today,” states National Rail.
“Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.”
This falls under Delay Repay schemes for qualifying disruptions of 15 minutes or more on eligible tickets.
Has Network Rail or Operators Issued Statements?
Network Rail is actively investigating the signalling fault, with engineers having resolved the initial complete failure to reopen lines. Thameslink confirmed most services now run both directions between Royston and Cambridge but warned of ongoing issues. Great Northern highlighted persistent impacts on King’s Lynn services due to positioning problems.
No named individual journalists are attributed in the BBC article, but the report draws directly from operator statements.
Are There Any Other Related Rail Issues in Cambridgeshire?
Separate from Foxton, National Rail notes minor disruption at Ely expected until 16:30 on 16 February 2026, though details are limited. Ongoing Cambridge area works by Network Rail, including re-signalling and Cambridge South station build, cause periodic closures, such as buses replacing trains between Royston and Cambridge North from late December 2025 to early 2026. Future weekend disruptions in March are planned across Anglia routes.
This coverage aggregates all available details from National Rail, BBC, and operator updates, ensuring comprehensive reporting on the Foxton incident’s implications for Cambridgeshire rail users.
