Cable fault behind disruption that ground London Underground network to a halt

A crowd of passengers being turned away from Elizabeth line services at Paddington after a power cut in London. — There was widespread disruption across the network (Picture: Ruby Cline/PA Wire)

Almost the entire London Underground was down after a massive power failure on the network, a TfL source told Metro.

A brief power cut at about 2.30pm all but paralysed the capital’s Tube network, with entire lines suspended and severely delayed.

The shutdown was caused by a cable fault in south west London, leading to a fire at an electrical substation in Maida Vale, north west London.

While power has been restored, parts of the Mildmay line are still suspended. There are still severe delays on the Bakerloo and Jubilee lines.

Commuters have faced even more headaches after a trespasser, a fire alarm and a customer incident across three different stations have caused delays to the Mildmay, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Victoria lines. Even the London cable car was briefly shut down due to high lightning risk.