Storm Bert: No trains from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport or Cambridge for much of the day as major repairs continue after wind damage

A big repair and clear-up operation on the London-Cambridge railway line through Bishop’s Stortford got under way on Monday as a result of damage inflicted by high winds in Storm Bert on Sunday.

Network Rail engineers worked to remove fallen trees and branches and to repair damaged overhead wires following gusts of more than 40mph.

At the start of the day, train operator Greater Anglia (GA) said that due to the number of incidents, it did not expect to be able to run trains between Harlow Town and Cambridge, including Stansted Airport, until 5pm, but all lines reopened before then. There were also no trains from Stratford to Bishop’s Stortford.

A “very limited” train service ran between Liverpool Street and Harlow Town, and there were no replacement buses available from Harlow.

GA said: “Unfortunately, yesterday’s strong winds caused multiple trees to fall, damaging the overhead electrical wire between Broxbourne and Audley End.

“This damage has now been repaired, but train services between Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport / Cambridge remain severely disrupted as we recover to our advertised timetable. Tickets valid for travel today (Monday) will be valid for travel tomorrow (Tuesday). All ticket restrictions have been lifted.”

Dozens of trains have been cancelled on the following routes: Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, Liverpool Street to Cambridge/Cambridge North, Stratford to Bishop’s Stortford and Stratford to Meridian Water.

Greater Anglia tickets between Liverpool Street and Cambridge were being accepted on Great Northern services between King’s Cross and Cambridge.

In Bishop’s Stortford, a train was damaged when a tree fell on overhead cables on the railway line beside Sworder’s Field at about 12.30pm.

The train involved was a London-bound service. There were no reports of any injuries among passengers.

Firefighters were at the scene and, with Network Rail workers, helped passengers off the train to walk to Bishop’s Stortford railway station.

On the Bishop’s Stortford Community Facebook page, Duncan Robert White commented: “I saw it. The wind blew the tree onto the overhead power line which burst into flames for approximately five minutes. Both up and down lines came down.

“Stansted Airport train running towards Bishop’s Stortford runs into debris and stutters to a halt. Fire brigade and Network Rail then alerted by people in Castle Park.”

Pictures by Helen Miller, Alex Murdoch and Paul Winspear