Major disruption for train passengers at Kettering and Wellingborough on Thursday morning

Rail passengers are facing massive disruption at Kettering and Wellingborough this morning (Thursday).

East Midlands Railway says a signalling fault on the Midland Main Line is forcing major cancellations and delays on services into London.

The operator is running buses for passengers at Kettering and Wellingborough to link up with trains at Northampton — but warn that will add up to 90 minutes to journey times.

An EMR spokesman said: "There is a fault with the signalling system between Luton and Harpenden which means a very reduced service is in operation — one train per hour in each direction — on our Intercity route in and out of London St Pancras.

"A half-hourly rail replacement road transport service is running between Kettering, Wellingborough and Northampton to connect with services to and from London Euston. This is expected to extend your journey by an hour and half

"All of these alternative route options are available in the opposite direction too. Don't worry about your ticket, we have already made arrangements with other train companies for you to travel with your original ticket.

"These arrangements will remain in place until the line re-opens and the train service recovers

"Please use our live journey planner for up to date details on which train services are running but alternative routes remain your best options..

"Network Rail have fault teams on site and have found damaged cable.

"They are currently working to replace it and estimate the repairs will be completed by 10am but we are not expecting our advertised timetable to resume on the affected routes until at least noon."

The delays are having a knock-on effect on northbound services. The 07:19 Kettering to Sheffield service arrived 67 minutes late and the 08:18 to Sheffield was reported running 28 minutes late.