There was chaos at Elstree and Borehamwood Station during Monday morning's rush-hour as commuters faced train cancellations, due to signal failures on the Bedford-to-London line.

Commuters were advised to get buses to tube stations in Edgware and Stanmore. The few trains that did stop were mostly full and were unable to take any more passengers by the time they reached Borehamwood.

A complete failure of signals on a 10-mile stretch of track in Bedford was reported at 6.02am, which meant that trains, stabled at Bedford, could not begin their southbound journeys. The problem, possibly caused by a battery charger failure, was resolved at 10.07am.

A spokeswoman for Railtrack, which is responsible for signalling, said: "Because of the time that it happened, there were severe disruptions and lots of delays."

A spokesman for train operator Thameslink said a few trains, from Brighton and Surrey, were brought in, but added: "The service was minimal and those that were running were overcrowded".

He said warnings were issued early Monday morning, and services were resumed later the same day.

Hackney cab driver Alan Morson said black cabs at the station rank were kept busy all morning, adding: "We all took people to Stanmore, Edgware and Barnet there were loads of people complaining about the train service."

Nigel Smith, controller at ABA Diamond mini cabs in Shenley Road, said: "There were a lot of angry people, swearing in suits."