Commuters look set for a relatively trouble-some end to the week with few problems being reported on the Tube and rail network early on Friday morning.
By 7.19am, TfL was reporting a good service on all lines except the Elizabeth and Central lines, which are both experiencing severe and minor delays due to train cancellations.
Major disruption is also expected on trains to and from London Heathrow Airport following a large fire at an electrical substation. All other major London lines and stations don’t appear to be reporting major issues.
The M4 spur for Heathrow Airport is said to be closed southbound between the M4 and J4A due to the closure of Heathrow Airport, causing severe delays in the area.
We’ll keep you up to date with the major travel developments as the day progresses.
Welcome to The Standard's travel liveblog
07:24 , Nuray Bulbul
Good morning and welcome to The Standard’s travel liveblog as we finally arrive at the end of another work week.
We’ll be keeping you posted on all the major developments on the Tube, trains and roads impacting London in real time.
Major disruption to and from Heathrow Airport after fire
07:30 , Nuray Bulbul
Heathrow Airport is closed on Friday morning after a fire at a nearby electrical substation caused a mass power outage overnight.
Trains are currently unable to operate to / from Heathrow Terminals, and have been cancelled or revised.
All Heathrow Express services have been suspended for today.
Passengers are being advised not to attempt to travel to Heathrow Airport today.
Routes impacted:
Elizabeth line between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4. And also between Shenfield / Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 5.
Alternative routes:
Services between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport will run between Shenfield and Hayes & Harlington.
Services between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Airport will run between Abbey Wood and London Paddington.
Severe delays on the Elizabeth line
07:38 , Nuray BulbulThere is no service between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport and severe delays between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington due to a power supply failure at Heathrow Airport.
Do not travel to Heathrow Airport as it is expected to remain closed all day.
Contact your airline for more details.
You can read more on the fire at Heathrow Airport here.
Minor delays on the Central line
07:42 , Nuray BulbulThere are currently minor delays on the Central line due to train cancellations.
The Elizabeth and Jubilee lines are also facing severe and minor delays.
But all other services are operating a good service.
Check your journey before committing.
Minor delays on the Jubilee line
07:47 , Nuray BulbulThe Jubilee line is facing minor delays while a points failure at Willesden Green is addressed.
The Central and Elizabeth lines are also facing minor and severe delays, partially due to a power supply failure at Heathrow Airport.
Closure between M4 and J4A due to the closure of Heathrow Airport
07:59 , Nuray Bulbul
Heathrow Airport is closed southbound between the M4 and J4A following a large fire at an electrical substation.
As a result, there are long queues at M25 Junction 14 Terminal 5 access road.
Also Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line is suspended between Hayes and Harlington and Heathrow
People on social media are confused why Heathrow Airport will be shut all day
08:08 , Nuray BulbulUsers on social media are responding to the fire incident at Heathrow Airport causing the airport to be shut all day today.
One user tweeted: “Why, in the 21st Century, is Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, reliant on a single substation? This critical national infrastructure should have backups, upon backups, upon backups.”
Why, in the 21st Century, is Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, reliant on a single substation?
— Ed McGuinness (@EJ_McGuinness) March 21, 2025
This critical national infrastructure should have backups, upon backups, upon backups. pic.twitter.com/GU4UTExKcT
While another added: “How can #Heathrow have only the one source of power, and hope that remains up and working 24/7/365?! UKs biggest airport running with a single point of failure is madness.”
How can #Heathrow have only the one source of power, and hope that remains up and working 24/7/365?! UKs biggest airport running with a single point of failure is madness
— Schuie (@IP2IP5Town) March 21, 2025
A third said: “You’re telling me Heathrow has no back up power. No generators?? Nothing?”
You’re telling me Heathrow has no back up power. No generators?? Nothing? 😭
— mabalimacau (@MbaliMacu) March 21, 2025
