COMMUTERS expressed their outrage at cancellations and delays on the Brighton Main Line.

A points failure at Gatwick Airport has left trains unable to change from one section of track to another, causing delays and congestion to build up around the area.

Disruption was originally expected to last until 8am, but this was later updated to 3pm.

Some trains have been cancelled and others are delayed up to 30 minutes.

Passenger Michael Jones posted his frustration on social media, and said: "Southern Rail, you are an utter, utter shambles. I don't want a refund, I just want to be where I need to be and today it matters an awful lot.

"Instead I'm sat on a freezing station for an hour while you tell national rail enquiries totally inaccurate arrival times."

Another passenger, Ann Davies, also tagged Southern Rail in a post on Twitter.

She said: "Absolute shambles. Half the trains to London from Brighton cancelled and the rest running very late.

"Good start to my birthday trip celebrations. Thanks."

As a result of the points failure, services from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria will run non-stop between Gatwick Airport and Redhill, and Redhill to Three Bridges services will only call at Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges.

Also, Thameslink services may run fast between Earlswood and Gatwick Airport, calling additionally at Three Bridges, and platform alterations are likely to occur at Gatwick Airport.

A spokesman from rail company Southern said: “Following an overnight engineering possession, a set of points failed between Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges.

“This limits the number of lines available while engineers make their way to the affected area.

“Additionally, another set of points on approach to Gatwick Airport in the direction from Redhill has also failed, which is limiting train moves as well.

“Points are movable sections of track that allow trains to move from one part of the track to another.

Network Rail signallers are working around this problem, but as more services begin their journeys, delays and congestion will build up.

“Engineers are on site, and attempting to find the cause for this incident.”

The company advised passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.

It also said that customers with valid tickets can travel using alternative services.

These include Metrobus services between Horsham, Gatwick Airport and Redhill, any Southern or Thameslink service travelling to and from Gatwick Airport, London Underground services between London Victoria, London Bridge and London Blackfriars and Great Western Railway services between Gatwick Airport, Redhill and Reigate.