Flooding stops rail services until Christmas Eve

19 December 2025

News image — A burst water main caused "extensive damage" to the line at Rye House station

Greater Anglia Flooded railway line with more gushing over the edge of the platform. — A burst water main caused "extensive damage" to the line at Rye House station

Flooding from a burst sewer main which has caused "extensive damage" means some rail services have been suspended in Hertfordshire until Christmas Eve.

Greater Anglia said water flooded the track on Wednesday and damaged the signalling system at Rye House, meaning trains would be unable to run between Broxbourne and Hertford East until Wednesday, 24 December.

A limited rail replacement bus service would operate, but customers have been asked to consider using other West Anglia main line stations or local bus services.

Services had been expected to resume on Friday but the "complexity" of the impact of the flooding has contributed to the delay, the rail operator added.

Greater Anglia Entrance to a railway platform at night, with lights illuminating a stairway, and in the foreground is a waterlogged stretch of railway tracks. The water is dirty green and only the edge of the rails is visible. — The branch line runs from Broxbourne and ends at Hertford East, taking in stations at Rye House, St Margarets and Ware

In a statement Greater Anglia said: "We apologise for the significant inconvenience caused to customers.

"The extensive impact of the ongoing flooding, the complexity of the task and time needed to stem the flow, the work then needed to clean up the affected area, and the subsequent repairs required to both rail infrastructure (track and signalling) and Rye House station, all mean it is expected to take another five days to complete the necessary work and reintroduce the normal service."

Greater Anglia said its tickets would be valid for Great Northern trains between Moorgate in London and Hertford North "which is approximately a 20-minute walk from Hertford East".

Thames Water also apologised for disruption.

The burst pipe had caused flooding across Rye Road, which is currently closed, to contain any further damage and let repair teams work.

A spokesman said: "Our engineers are currently on site and working around the clock to fix the pipe and prevent further damage to the area."

Tankers are being used to control flow from the pipe and will be in place at local pumping stations while work continues, Thames Water said.

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