A train line between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction is set to remain closed for more than five hours amid rising "irritation" over repeat issues.

National Rail has confirmed that a fault on the Abbey Line train means that it is out-of-action, and it is set to remain so until 3.30pm today (December 18).

The breakdown was first reported at 6.57am.

All trains will be cancelled and buses have been brought in to replace them. Tickets can be used on the 321 bus or on the rail replacement buses.

Travellers may be entitled to compensation if they are delayed, National Rail added.

A train fault also hit services on the line last Thursday (December 14). Buses replaced trains from 11.52am until 5.29am the next day.

The week before (from December 1 to December 9), all trains on the Abbey Line were replaced with buses during the full duration of train drivers’ union ASLEF’s overtime ban and strike action.

SUGGESTED READING

Kevin Ambrose, of rail users group Abfly, said that repeat issues on the line have left locals feeling like it is a “very low priority” for London Northwestern Railway.

“We are picking up from the rail users that there is widespread irritation at the constant cancellations,” he added.

“Given that they are newish trains there is bemusement that this should happen so regularly.”