Commuters are facing train cancellations and delays until 7pm after a signal failure blocked all lines between Witham and Chelmsford.

Any service travelling through these stations could be cancelled or delayed, including those from Liverpool Street towards Chelmsford, Witham, Colchester, Clacton-On-Sea, Ipswich and Norwich, and in the opposite direction.

The line between Chelmsford and Witham is closed and Network Rail engineers are on site. 

Train services will be terminated and started from Witham and Chelmsford in both directions.

Abellio Greater Anglia tickets are being accepted on London Underground services between Liverpool Street and King's Cross, Great Northern train services between London King's Cross and Ely, and on East Midlands Trains services between Ely and Norwich, in both directions until further notice.

Abellio Greater Anglia tickets are being accepted on First Group buses, routes 70/71/72 between Witham and Chelmsford.

Customers with advance tickets are advised that restrictions have been lifted, and they may travel earlier or later than the time specified on their ticket.

A spokesman for Abellio said: "We are sorry if your journey is affected by this problem.

"Network Rail Engineers are working as quickly as possible to resolve this problem and restore a normal train service."

Update: A rail replacement bus service will run between Witham and Chelmsford from 3pm onwards.

To find out where the buses will stop at your train station, go to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/WTM/details.html