Commuters faced significant delays on the Central line this morning after a trespasser on the tracks forced the temporary closure of Roding Valley station in Buckhurst Hill.

The incident occurred at around 7:45 am when British Transport Police (BTP) were alerted to reports of a trespasser on the line near Roding Valley station. As a result, the station was shut down, and services between Leytonstone and Hainault/Epping were suspended for several hours, causing widespread disruption during rush hour.

A police helicopter was also seen hovering in the area near Woodford station as part of the search efforts.

Service Disruption and Commuter Frustration

The closure caused severe delays across the Central line, with thousands of passengers stranded or forced to find alternative routes. The station remained closed for over two hours before services gradually resumed around 10:00 am, although delays persisted until late morning.

One commuter, Sarah Collins, described the scene: “It was chaos. People were confused and frustrated, with no clear information about when the trains would be running again.”

Police Response

British Transport Police confirmed that a man was located in connection with the incident and is currently assisting with enquiries.

A BTP spokesperson stated:

“Officers were called to the line near Roding Valley underground station at about 7:45 am today (19 February) following reports of a trespasser on the line. A man was identified in connection, and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

While the motive behind the trespass remains unclear, police are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Safety Concerns and Public Appeal

Trespassing on railway lines is a significant safety concern, often leading to dangerous situations for both the trespasser and railway staff. In addition to causing major delays, incidents like this place a heavy strain on emergency services.

BTP has urged members of the public to stay off the tracks and report any suspicious behaviour near train lines by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016.

Service Updates

As of noon, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that Central line services had returned to normal. Passengers are advised to check the TfL website and apps for real-time updates before travelling.

This incident marks yet another disruption on London’s Underground network, raising ongoing concerns about security and safety on the city’s transport system.