RAIL commuters are being urged to avoid travelling into London unless it is essential as Marylebone Station remains closed following a fire.

Marylebone station is still closed following a fire in about two meters of cabling in a tunnel by the station yesterday – which knocked out the signalling.

Engineers are on site installing new signals with disruption expected to continue into Monday afternoon.

Chiltern Railways continues to offer a reduced service today and passengers have been advised to avoid travelling unless it is essential.

In a statement, it said: “We are only able to run a limited service on both our lines and as a result the trains we are running will be incredibly busy.

“This is because we will be able to run far fewer trains as we will be turning round at stations which have two platforms instead of at Marylebone which has six.

“If you can avoid travelling we advise that you make alternative arrangements.”

The rail operator is running two trains an hour from High Wycombe to Wembley Stadium and South Ruislip, from there commuters can jump on to the underground trains into London.

Chiltern Railways is also running two services an hour from Aylesbury to Harrow on the Hill. From there Chiltern Railways customers can hop onto the Metropolitan line trains to Baker Street.

Chiltern Railways customers can also use their tickets on Virgin Trains, London Midland, First Great Western, CrossCountry and London Underground services on Monday until further notice.