Vauxhall station evacuated: Emergency disrupts Waterloo and Clapham trains

Vauxhall station remains evacuated as emergency services continue to deal with an incident near the railway between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction, with major disruptions persisting into the evening of October 13, 2025.

Although some lines have reopened, trains are unable to call at Vauxhall, leading to cancellations, revisions, and delays of up to 60 minutes for South Western Railway services to and from London Waterloo.

National Rail has warned that the disruption is expected to last until at least 9pm, urging passengers to check live updates amid complaints about outdated information boards at the station.

Commuters are advised to seek alternatives such as the Northern Line Tube or replacement buses, with tickets valid across modes during the incident.

Due to the ongoing incident disrupting South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Vauxhall, commuters are advised to use the following alternatives. These options are based on standard TfL and National Rail guidance for such short-distance disruptions, with tickets typically valid across modes where noted.

London Underground (Northern Line): Take the southbound Northern Line directly from Waterloo Underground station to Vauxhall (or vice versa), a journey of about 2 minutes with trains every 2-3 minutes during peak times. This is the quickest and most reliable rail alternative, unaffected by the mainline incident

Buses: Use TfL bus routes such as the 77 (Waterloo Road to Vauxhall via Westminster Bridge), 87 (Wandsworth Road to Vauxhall), or 156 (Vauxhall to Wimbledon, stopping near Waterloo). Expect 10-15 minute journeys; check the TfL app for real-time arrivals, and SWR tickets are often accepted on these services during disruptions

Rail Replacement Buses: South Western Railway may operate dedicated replacement coaches from Waterloo station forecourt to Vauxhall; look for signage or check National Rail Enquiries for shuttle services, which can take 10-20 minutes depending on traffic

Walking: For a traffic-free option, walk along the Thames Path from Waterloo to Vauxhall (approximately 1.5 miles, 30-40 minutes); it's a scenic route suitable for lighter loads

Cycling or E-Scooters: Rent a Santander Cycle from docking stations near Waterloo (e.g., at the station entrance) for a 10-15 minute ride to Vauxhall; alternatively, use Lime e-bikes or e-scooters via their apps, with dedicated cycle lanes along the route

Taxi or Ride-Hailing: Book a black cab from Waterloo's ranks or use Uber/Didi for a 5-10 minute trip (fares around £8-12); ideal for those with luggage, though surge pricing may apply during peak disruption times

For the latest updates, consult the National Rail or TfL apps, as ticket acceptance on alternatives is in place until services resume.

A second Network Rail statement just before 7pm said: "The emergency services are dealing with an incident between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction. Whilst they do their work, some lines are closed.

"Trains running to / from London Waterloo may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised. Some lines have now reopened through the affected area. Trains are unable to call at Vauxhall."

London Waterloo Station, one of the UK's busiest rail hubs, handled an estimated 62.5 million passenger entries and exits in the year ending March 2024, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation's transport network.

As the primary gateway for commuters from southwest London and surrounding counties, the station facilitates daily journeys for hundreds of thousands heading to the capital for work, with peak-hour services often packed to capacity.

South Western Railway operates the majority of routes from Waterloo, connecting riders to key destinations including Surrey's commuter belts like Guildford and Woking, Hampshire's coastal towns such as Southampton, and further afield to the scenic routes of Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall.

Despite a slight dip in rankings due to the Elizabeth line's rise, Waterloo remains indispensable for regional connectivity, supporting economic vitality in the southwest by enabling seamless travel for both daily commuters and leisure travellers alike.

Councillor Kevin Wincup, who lives in Elmbridge in Surrey, posted on X: "Vauxhall station has been evacuated with all rail lines between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction closed.

"Emergency services are dealing with an incident near the railway on Monday evening until around 9pm (October 13) which is impacting South Western Railway (SWR) trains."

Express.co.uk has contacted the British Transport Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service for further details.

One X user shared a picture from in front of Vauxhall tube station, commenting: "Something happened in Vauxhall Station London this afternoon. All emergency services are here. Traffic is stuck for the buses trying to turn."

The user, @esrakanat_, also shared a video showing emergency services and large crowds outside the station.

Vauxhall station in London has been evacuated due to an emergency services incident, with the lines between Clapham Junction and Waterloo Station closed, causing huge delays.

A statement on the National Rail reads: "The emergency services are dealing with an incident between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction. Whilst they do their work, all lines are closed.

"Trains running to / from London Waterloo may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised. Major disruption is expected until 9pm."