East Croydon Station closed - evening 02/10

[Minstral25]

Everything is stopped - Security Alert - any further details available

 

[gavin]

Suspicious bag emergency services investigating

 

[gavin]

Local flats near the station reportedly getting evacuated but this is unconfirmed

 

[gavin]

Trains which were close to the station are starting to reverse back so they are further away

 

[RichardKing]

Trains are being reversed away from East Croydon. Some unconfirmed reports on Twitter about it not being a false alarm (one or two stating that they have received this information from the driver over the PA system), but this is obviously just speculation.

Awaiting further information...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Trains are being reversed away from East Croydon. Some unconfirmed reports on Twitter about it not being a false alarm (one or two stating that they have received this information from the driver over the PA system), but this is obviously just speculation.

Awaiting further information...

Doesn't sound good... hopefully it is just a false alarm and the authorities are being super-cautious.

 

[gavin]

Trains are being reversed away from East Croydon. Some unconfirmed reports on Twitter about it not being a false alarm (one or two stating that they have received this information from the driver over the PA system), but this is obviously just speculation.

Awaiting further information...

I've seen those tweets need to await the arrival of the bomb disposal unit and official info from the emergency services

 

[RichardKing]

Doesn't sound good... hopefully it is just a false alarm and the authorities are being super-cautious.

Fingers crossed.

 

[RichardKing]

I've seen those tweets need to await the arrival of the bomb disposal unit and official info from the emergency services

Of course. I'm not sure where the driver would've got this specific information from either (the signaller wouldn't be aware at this stage, surely? Especially without the presence of bomb disposal).

 

[thenorthern]

There have been unconfirmed reports on Twitter that a pipe bomb has been found. Again this is unconfirmed reports so it could change.

 

[gavin]

Uber's prices have increased in the area due to high demand...

 

[Bromley boy]

Uber's prices have increased in the area due to high demand...

That's unsurprising.

In fairness it's due to an algorithm rather than a deliberate attempt to profiteer, even if it might appear that way.

 

[gavin]

All clear given

@BTP

UPDATE - The item at #EastCroydon has been declared non suspicious.

The station will be reopening very shortly!

 

[thenorthern]

Its been confirmed as a false alarm by British Transport Police and the station will re-open soon. Its not ideal but better safe than sorry.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Of course. I'm not sure where the driver would've got this specific information from either (the signaller wouldn't be aware at this stage, surely? Especially without the presence of bomb disposal).

Perhaps the driver was trying to prevent a panic? We've already had one spontaneous detraining on 3rd-rail lines today!

 

[RichardKing]

All trains have now been moved at least two signalling blocks (apologies if incorrect terminology) away from the station now.

1C83 is the closest, currently standing at South Croydon on the up fast; 1F83 has just set back into Norwood Junction. All platforms have 'SHUT' interposed on their signalling berths.

EDIT: just seen the 'all clear' given. Thank God for that! Good to see the quick response.

Platforms 1 & 2 to remain closed until Police 'clear up'

 

[tsr]

BTP scanners and dogs were deployed and it was still deemed suspicious but then, once it was blown up, it wasn’t.

Something a bit weird going on. But I’m glad it proved non-suspicious in the end.

Lots of trains over an hour late but TL/Southern are, to be fair, doing quite well at monitoring it all. They also managed to get all stranded trains alongside platforms within about an hour, which isn’t bad going in the evening peak.

My advice to passengers would be to avoid Victoria for the time being (other termini are apparently less crowded) and try to head as far south as possible on alternative routes. Standard stuff really.

Engineering works will be postponed if needed to allow GTR to get people home.

 

[tsr]

Just been advised London Bridge has been suffering reactionary problems due to the low level platforms being blocked with delayed / displaced trains. (This is happening quite regularly at this specific point on a weekday evening during major disruption events... Victoria usually follows an hour or two later... we shall see).

Apparently the suspect package contained electrical items but they were harmless maintenance supplies.

Buses to be used to cover connections towards the Arun Valley and West Sussex as needed.

 

[farleigh]

Just been advised London Bridge has been suffering reactionary problems due to the low level platforms being blocked with delayed / displaced trains. (This is happening quite regularly at this specific point on a weekday evening during major disruption events... Victoria usually follows an hour or two later... we shall see).

Apparently the suspect package contained electrical items but they were harmless maintenance supplies.

Buses to be used to cover connections towards the Arun Valley and West Sussex as needed.

Excellent updates tsr - thank you

 

[Thebaz]

When I asked a member of gateline staff at London Bridge what the problem was (this was about 22.20), I was told "because a [pejorative term - can't remember exactly what it was!] customer threw a suspect package out of a train window"!! Must have been on a 455 then.

 

[tsr]

When I asked a member of gateline staff at London Bridge what the problem was (this was about 22.20), I was told "because a [pejorative term - can't remember exactly what it was!] customer threw a suspect package out of a train window"!! Must have been on a 455 then.

Most unlikely. The item was discovered on the island of platforms 1 & 2. Class 455s do not regularly use these platforms.