A broken rail means that Midland Main Line services are reduced today

Network Rail, East Midlands Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway are urging passengers to check before travelling as there is significant disruption to services on the Midland Main Line today.

During overnight track inspections, Network Rail engineers found a broken rail near Hendon station and trains were having to run at a significantly reduced speed on this section of the railway this morning.

This portion of the line is now closed whilst Network Rail engineers work to carry out a temporary repair, and services are being diverted around the fault. As a result, journey times are increased and fewer trains are able to run.

A temporary repair is expected to complete by 3pm, which will mean the speed of trains will be able to increase, although this this will still be at a significantly lower speed than usual. Further work to allow trains to run at their normal speed will be carried out overnight.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day, so passengers are urged to check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator. Passengers should also allow additional time for their journeys. Ticket Acceptance and bus replacement services are in place for Thameslink customers.

East Midlands Railway has offered the following advice for passengers travelling to thesdestinationsns:

Sheffield -You may travel via London Kings Cross and Doncaster.

Derby / Chesterfield - You may travel via London Euston and Birmingham New Street / Tamworth.

Nottingham - You may travel via London Kings Cross and Grantham.

Leicester - You may travel via London Euston and Nuneaton.

Corby - Buses are operating between Kettering and Corby in both directions.

Long Eaton - Customers at Long Eaton will need to travel to Derby / Nottingham on local services and change there for London services.

Passengers travelling between East Midlands Parkway / Loughborough and Derby are to travel via Beeston / Nottingham.