Travel chaos left passengers stranded at railway stations on the first day of the latest strike action this morning.

There were no train services due to over-running engineering works.

A limited replacement bus service operated between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges in both directions, causing delays further down the line.

This was caused by the over-running works, which Network Rail said it was "working as fast as possible to resolve".

The line has now reopened but delays are expected until mid-morning.

Southern Railway has said queuing systems are in place at some stations this morning due to the strike. "Please plan ahead and take extra care whilst at stations," the company says.

Earlier it was reported that the whole line is blocked between Brighton and Gatwick.

Henry Holloway got to Brighton Station at 5.20am and found all trains were cancelled. By 8am he was at East Croydon.

Mr Pates above added that the only carriages out of Brighton so far this morning was delayed due to a fault on the train. It is due any moment now, as of 8am.

He made a film about his commute to work, which you can watch below if you're stuck at a station with nothing to do.

Another reader contacted us earlier to say: "All trains to london cancelled this morning - the only running service, the swanky new Thameslink train, has a fault. Really?"

Network Rail’s chief operating officer for the South East, Andy Derbyshire, said: “I'm really sorry for the unnecessary disruption to the passengers on the Brighton mainline this morning.
“As part of our ongoing track and signalling improvement work, we were undertaking track work in the Balcombe tunnel area last night.

"One of our heavy engineering machines suffered a breakdown late into the works, causing the delay to opening the line this morning.

“I will be investigating the cause of breakdown but sincerely apologise for this delay to your journey.”

Angie Doll, passenger services director for Southern, said: “This morning's overrunning engineering work adds to the frustration passengers are experiencing today because of the Rail Maritime and Transport union’s strike action, which is totally unnecessary now the union has told its members to accept the changes we have planned to improve customer service.”

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “It is disappointing that passengers once again face needless and unjustified strike action by the RMT, after the union advised its members to accept the new roles being offered by the operator.

“The union leaders have continually rejected a deal that protects jobs and ensures that conductors will carry on delivering safe, accessible and more reliable rail services. I call on RMT to put passengers first and stop this damaging action.”

The RMT has said it does not want to alienate the public and that its dispute is "absolutely in the defence of the public".

THE REST OF THE NETWORK

Southern Railway says it is "pleased to be able to serve more stations on strike days".

It says: "On the majority of routes you will be able to travel, either on a Southern train, another operator's train, or a bus."

There are: Two peak trains between Uckfield and London Bridge in the morning, returning in the late afternoon;

Buses at peak times connecting Uckfield, Buxted, Crowborough and Eridge with Haywards Heath and Tunbridge Wells (for rail connections to/from London);

Later services on the London Bridge to East Grinstead route;

Later services on the Brighton to Eastbourne route;

Buses between Chichester and Havant;

Buses between Hastings and Eastbourne;

Buses all day between Ashford International and Hastings.

MORE STRIKE DAYS

Until Thursday, October 13;

Tuesday, October 18, to Thursday, October 20;

Thursday, November 3, to Saturday, November 5;

Tuesday, November 22, and Wednesday, November 23;

Tuesday, December 6, to Thursday, December 8.