Rail commuters are once again facing nightmare journeys to London this morning after a signalling fault between Ipswich and Stowmarket

The fault, on the line between Ipswich and Stowmarket, has triggered long delays right along the line between Norwich and London.

Trains were running into Stowmarket but passengers were being forced to make alternative travel arrangements to get from there to Ipswich and onto London.

The lines reopened at 10.10am, but passengers can expect delays throughout the day as driver and train displacement hits services.

The first train to travel through from Stowmarket to Ipswich will be the Norwich to London Liverpool St service that left Norwich at 9am. The service is expected to face delays and the 9.30am train departing Norwich is also expected to be running.

Abellio Greater Anglia have said there are a limited number of rail replacement buses running, or passengers can use their tickets to travel on East Midlands Trains services.

The 9.52am and 10.52am services to London Liverpool St that start at Ipswich have also been cancelled, and are now due to start at Colchester. It is not known if replacement bus services will be offered.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “We apologise to passengers for the disruption this morning caused by a signalling problem, which meant that trains were unable to run between Ipswich and Stowmarket.

“The problem has now been fixed and the lines are open. There are still some delays on the line.”

A statement on the Greater Anglia website said: “Owing to a fault with the signalling system between Ipswich and Stowmarket, all lines are blocked. Currently, this fault means that trains are unable to run in both directions between Stowmarket and Ipswich.

“Network Rail engineers are on site at the location of the fault, and are working to determine the cause of the fault and make repairs to enable the trains to run. Currently, this fault means that trains are unable to run in both directions between Stowmarket and Ipswich.

“The 06:00 Norwich - Liverpool Street service was the first train to be affected, and is being delayed at Stowmarket. The 07:03 & 08:11 Stowmarket - Liverpool Street services will both start from Ipswich.”

The statement added that train services starting at Ipswich heading towards London were not affected.

Rural services from Ipswich towards Cambridge and Peterborough are affected.

The statement said: “Abellio Greater Anglia tickets will be accepted on East Midlands Trains services between Norwich and Ely, Great Northern train services between Ely and London King’s Cross, and on London Underground services between King’s Cross and Liverpool Street in both directions until further notice.

“A very limited rail replacement bus service running between Ipswich and Stowmarket. We apologise for the delay to your journey today.”

Find out which services are affected and check your train here