Rail services not stopping at London Bridge

A report into what led to chaos on the trains for thousands of rail passengers in the Thames Valley over the Christmas holidays has identified a catalogue of failings.

The findings from Network Rail reveal that engineering work near Heathrow was completed on time, but safety checks took longer than expected.

The resulting cancellations and delays led to major disruption on the line between Reading and Paddington, leaving many travellers stranded.

Network Rail has profusely apologised. But the consumer watchdog - Passenger Focus - has said that 'confusion reigned' - and it's calling for reassurances that it will never happen again.

Meanwhile MPs have summoned Network Rail's Chief Executive Mark Carne to answer questions about the report. Our Transport correspondent Mike Pearse reports.

The report into the chaos at Christmas when engineering works ran late has identified a 'catalogue of failings'.

Passengers were left stranded as no trains ran between Reading and Paddington on December 27th.

The report just made public by Network Rail reveals that engineering work near Heathrow did in fact end on time but safety checks to declare signals safe took ten hours which is five times longer than it should have.

There was confusion over when services would run, leaving passengers not knowing when they could travel.

Now the amount of time engineering works take will be reviewed and in future they may be carried out in the summer when there is better weather allowing for less chance of overruns.

MPs will question Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne on the report on Wednesday.

Major changes changes to Southeastern rail services come into effect today because of redevelopment work at London Bridge Station.

Trains to and from Charing Cross station will not stop at London Bridge for the next 18 months at least - until August 2016.

Commuters are being urged to check Southeastern's new timetable before they travel. There will be a reduced Thameslink service between Brighton and London Bridge.

The revamp of London Bridge Station is part of the government sponsored £6.5 billion Thameslink project.