People have reported absolute chaos at Gatwick Airport with hundreds trying to crowd onto rail replacement buses as temperatures soared.
Any passengers with a plane to catch have been advised to expect their journey to take at least two hours longer than expected.
Nine-year-old chess genius facing deportation from Britain
Planned works have caused chaos on the bank holiday weekend, with passengers being advised to avoid travelling towards Brighton if possible.
At Gatwick, hundreds of people were pictured queuing in the scorching heat as airport staff rushed to hand out water bottles and ensure people stayed suitably hydrated.
A statement from Southern said: Engineering work taking place between Gatwick Airport and Brighton means that buses are replacing some trains.
#SNUpdates – Due to overcrowding, passengers for Brighton & the South coast are strongly advised not to travel today.
Passengers for Gatwick Airport should allow an extra 30 mins for their journey
Tickets will be valid on all SW Railway and SouthEastern services pic.twitter.com/i8oo8kZJUt
— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) May 6, 2018
There are currently large queues for the replacement bus services at Gatwick Airport and overcrowding at the station.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
As a result, customers should anticipate extended journey times and cancellations between London Victoria and Gatwick to prevent further overcrowding.
Lord Adonis apologises after tweeting 'racist' cartoon about Sajid Javid
In a tweet, the rail operator said: Due to overcrowding, passengers for Brighton & the South coast are strongly advised not to travel today.
Tickets from Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express are being accepted on each others services.
Louise Mahony tweeted to Southern saying: We booked a direct train to Brighton from London and ended up pretty much stranded at Gatwick Airport.
Theres 500 people here waiting for replacement bus services. This is disgusting, how could run such a terrible service on a bank holiday weekend?
Another Twitter user said: Absolutely shocking scenes at Gatwick Airport… only 2 train platforms operational.
Then a rail replacement bus south to Three Bridges and this is the queue on 3 levels of concourse for the bus! On one of the hottest days. This is disgraceful!
More: UK
And Lois Bray said: Crowds pushing through the queues, getting v aggressive & out of control. Avoid if you can.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport told Metro.co.uk that the chaos did not affect the operation of the airport, and all arrivals and departures were on time.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Southern Rail for comment.
MORE: Parents are sick to death of Peppa Pig as spoilt and bratty cartoon is banned in China
MORE: Boys, 12, and 15, shot in north west London
AdvertisementAdvertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
