Damage to the overhead electric wires between St Pancras and Blackfriars brought 'major disruption' to London rail users Wednesday morning (October 2).

Numerous trains through South London were cancelled and Thameslink said that the impacts would last until 11am at the earliest.

One of the worst affected routes was between Beckenham Junction and Blackfriars, with eight trains between 7.01am and 8.34am on the route cancelled.

A spokesperson for the private rail operators said that the power had been switched off entirely between St Pancras and Blackfriars, with trains "unable to run in either direction".

"Damage to the overhead electric wires between London St Pancras International and London Blackfriars has resulted in all lines being blocked. Train services running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

"Major disruption is expected until 11am.

"Due to multiple incidents at City Thameslink and Blackfriars, the power has been switched off to the line between St Pancras and Blackfriars in both directions.

"Trains are unable to run in either direction," the spokesperson said.

Services as far afield as Peterborough, Brighton and Cambridge were all affected, with many trains cancelled.

"Alterations to trains are ongoing, but as this issue has a wide impact on all Thameslink routes, please check before you travel," the spokesperson added.

Thameslink said existing tickets would be accepted at no extra cost "on all reasonable routes" for users to complete their journeys, with buses, London Underground and other train services by Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express all cited.

For more details about the disruption, head to the thameslinkrailway.com website.