Trains between Maidstone and Harrietsham were delayed due to power supply problems.

A fault with the signalling system between Otford and Ashford International resulted in delays, diversions and cancellations.

Trains were unable to run between Maidstone East and Ashford from around noon and were being diverted to run between Otford and Ashford via Tonbridge instead.

The diverted service stopped additionally at Paddock Wood.

Those affected could use the X10 Stagecoach bus service between Maidstone and Ashford for no extra cost.

Alternatively, passengers were able to travel via Paddock Wood and change there for trains to the Maidstone West and Barracks stations.

A train driver said the signals are Bearsted were blank.

Signalling staff reported several different systems have failed.

Response staff went to the site to investigate the cause of the problem and find out where the power had gone.

Technicians walked along the tracks between Maidstone and Hollingbourne to find the cause of the problem which turned out to be a faulty power supply cable near Bearsted.

At 3pm an emergency basic service was introduced every half an hour between Maidstone and Ashford and normal services resumed after 9pm.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We know what a massive impact this had on passengers travelling between Ashford and Maidstone and we’re so sorry for the disruption caused and how long the issue took to get fixed."

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