A broken down train at City Thameslink caused commuter mayhem at St Albans City Station this morning (March 24).

People crowded into the foyer of the station, waiting to be let through the barriers and onto the platform, at peak rush hour.

One commuter told the Herts Advertiser: “I’ve been waiting here near enough 45 minutes already. We’re being held in the station foyer and they’re not even letting us onto the platform.

“No one at the station is offering any information about what’s happening so we’re having to rely on social media.

“There’s been one announcement in the 40 mins I’ve been here and jam packed trains are being held on the platform.”

She said “once again” Thameslink’s “poor response” is preventing people getting to work - and she hates to think how much Govia is costing the capital.

The service should be back to normal by the evening rush hour – in the meantime, two of the four scheduled trains between London and Bedford each hour will be cancelled.

A spokesman for Thameslink apologised for disruption: “A broken down train in the middle of London, at City Thameslink, forced us to reduce the service which led to significant crowding on our stations and trains.

“Engineers have now moved the train but there will continue to be significant delays and alterations as we recover the service.”

He urged passengers to claim compensation.