SOUTHEASTERN CANCELS TRAINS AFTER BEDBUGS FOUND IN CABS

Southeastern cancelled a number of train services after drivers discovered bedbugs in their cabs, with the first sighting reported on 22 September. The affected trains were based at West Marina Depot in Hastings, East Sussex, the operator said. Carriages were locked to separate passenger areas from the cabs, and trains stayed in service only while returning for inspection and, where necessary, treatment. A Southeastern spokesperson said four trains had been reported as having bedbugs, two of which were confirmed, cleaned and returned to service. At least three services were cancelled, with further cancellations reported since, according to one report.

The affected trains run between Hastings and London via Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. One report said sightings had also been made on Southeastern's High Speed 1 services, raising concerns the problem had spread, while Southeastern said none of the insects were found on any High Speed 1 trains. One train, reportedly nicknamed the "Bedbug Express" by staff, kept running on Tuesday with two carriages locked after a driver found insects at one end. One driver reportedly refused to operate a train without a protective suit, which was unavailable, and maintenance staff reportedly tried to withdraw a train from service before controllers had been told of the problem.

Oly Turner, Southeastern's head of drivers, said the company has "a great relationship" with its drivers, who "have helped hugely in cooperating with us over these isolated incidents." Southeastern said trains are checked thoroughly before returning to service once given the all clear, and that cases had been contained to drivers' cabs, with no bedbugs identified in passenger areas. A company spokesperson said trains and stations are cleaned thoroughly so passengers can "travel safely and with confidence." Southeastern operates services across Kent, East Sussex and Greater London.