RAIL commuters faced massive disruption on Monday, February 18, as services on Thameslink's Bedford to Brighton line came to a standstill.

A power failure on a ten-mile stretch between Sharnbrook and Ampthill at 4am brought services to a complete stop, leaving thousands of commuters stranded as Thameslink staff tried furiously to rectify the problem.

Trains did not begin running south of Bedford again until 10.30am and delays continued throughout the day as trains were shunted to their correct positions.

Thameslink spokesman Martin Walter admitted the problem caused widespread disruption and that only a limited number of passengers had been offered alternative means of transport.

He said: "We lost virtually all our services in the morning peak and spent most of the day getting trains out and back into circulation. We managed to get half a dozen buses operating by 6.30am but were unable to get anymore."

The power failure meant that commuters heading into London from St Albans, Harpenden and Radlett were left stranded with no other means of getting into the capital.

Many simply gave up and went home, while others endured a wait of two to three hours.

Mr Walter said the company would be looking at the issue of compensation and information would be available to passengers at stations affected by the delays.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, who regularly uses the route, said he took one look at a chaotic St Albans City Station and decided to go straight back home.

He said: "I gave up and went home when I saw the platform was reminiscent of a Harrods sale without the green plastic bags. I returned three hours later for a dose of sardine packing on a four-carriage train and managed to get away at about 11.15am."

The frustration caused by this latest delay was clearly evident among passengers at the station on Monday, even though many felt that Thameslink's overall services had been improving since Christmas.

Councillor Rowlands said: "One or two people were getting rather exasperated, but I do think services have been much more reliable since Christmas."