Rail passengers face disruption all day on services between Poole and Southampton.

A signalling problem between Redbridge and Southampton Central means trains travelling towards London are running at a reduced speed.

South West Trains said services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 30 minutes or altered. Services between Salisbury and Southampton are also affected. 

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Stations at Millbrook, Redbridge and Chandlers Ford will not be served. 

South West Trains said the delays would occur because drivers will need to stop their train and gain verbal permission to continue at two signals between Redbridge and Southampton Central. 

A spokesperson said: "The fault has developed with part of the equipment that allows signallers to see where trains are on the network. Safety equipment embedded within these systems has also meant that certain junctions cannot be moved to allow trains to travel over them at a normal speed. 

"The fault developed yesterday evening, but due to the complex nature and size of the equipment that has failed, the location of the equipment, and the frequency of train services mean that the equipment is not able to be replaced until the night of 01/12/15. We have been able to mitigate the impact that this will have on trains, however this has meant that some stations will not receive a train service for parts or all of the day. 

"We are organising replacement transport to run between Romsey, Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh. Journey times are likely to be extended. 

South West Trains services between Salisbury and Romsey via Southampton Central will not run. 

South West Trains apologised for the disruption to services and thanked customers for their patience. 

Advice for passengers

Customers can use their rail tickets on Great Western Railway services between Salisbury and Portsmouth Harbour through the course of the day. Great Western Railway services will call additionally at Dean and Mottisfont & Dunbridge, and will be diverted via Chandlers Ford. 

Customers can use their rail tickets on: 

  • First City Red route 12 from Redbridge to Southampton city centre (stop on Kendal way, 20 minutes walk from Redbridge station) 
  • First City Red route 2 from Millbrook to Southampton city centre (stop on the corner of Shirley Road and Paynes Road, 15 minutes walk from Millbrook station)