Trains stopped by 'condensation'

Passengers on rush-hour train services in Hampshire, delayed by up to one hour, were told problems were caused by "condensation on signals".

A guard on a London-bound South West Trains service, which was halted at Winchester, told commuters all signals had been turned red "as a precaution".

Passengers said they were amazed to hear the announcement blaming "bad weather" for the disruption on Friday.

One commuter, who got on at Southampton Airport Parkway station, said: "We were told that due to cold weather, there was condensation on all signals in the Winchester area and that, as a safety measure, all signals had turned red and we would have to stop at each signal."

Network Rail later said the delays were actually due to a power cable fault.