The winter sun has been blamed for further delays to Southeastern trains today, following the landslide in Barnehurst that caused chaos for commuters using the Bexleyheath line.
Passengers have reacted with anger and bemusement, after Southeastern warned of delays through Lewisham because drivers were struggling to see the dispatching screens due to the "strong sunlight".
One Twitter user joked: "If only there were special glasses you could wear to combat that problem."
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@tattwood Apologies we are having issues dispatching trains due to the strong sunshine this morning. ^MS
— Southeastern (@Se_Railway) January 12, 2016
Southeastern has repeatedly come under fire for its poor service, as cancellations and delays blight commuters' journeys in and out of the city.
Matt Amos wrote: "u don't do rain snow wind leaves or sunshine? Are there any conditions that don't affect the service?"
Paul Malyon described it as "the weakest excuse ever" while Brian Barnett wrote: "Leaves on the line. Wrong snow. Now sunshine! Let's think of next excuse?"
@JulieEClarke The low winter sun has been hitting the dispatch monitor which prevents the driver from being able to see. ^MS
— Southeastern (@Se_Railway) January 12, 2016
A spokeswoman for Southeastern said: "We know that sometimes it seems that if it’s not leaves on the line or snow on the track then it’s some other weather issue.
"But actually glare this morning made it impossible for some drivers to see the full length of their train in their mirrors before leaving stations.
"When this happens they have to get out and check to ensure everybody has got on or off their train safely before they can move.
"This can take a little more time but thankfully for all it doesn’t happen very often."
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