Fallen tree blocks trains to Stansted Airport

Train passengers have been urged not to travel after a fallen tree blocked a railway line.

Earlier this evening, Greater Anglia said the tree had fallen near Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex and had affected power to the overhead wires.

Affected routes included Stansted Express services between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport, as well as Greater Anglia services to Cambridge North, and the Hertfordshire towns of Broxbourne and Bishop's Stortford.

An operator spokesperson said it was trying to "source replacement buses".

Services from Stratford in east London to Bishop's Stortford and Meridian Water were also affected.

Network Rail teams had been expected on site to investigate from 18:30 BST, with disruption expected to last until at least 20:15.

Passengers travelling between London and the airport can use their tickets to travel on Great Northern services from London King's Cross to Cambridge instead, before continuing to Stansted Airport.

National Rail has warned that Storm Austen and Storm Boelo could impact journeys across the whole weekend, with the Met Office warning of heavy rain and windy conditions in parts of England.

Greater Anglia, the Stansted Express and Network Rail apologised to passengers affected by the disruption.

Rail services to Purfleet in south Essex were also disrupted earlier, after a freight container train derailed at Barking in east London.

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