Nearly a million people have been affected by a major power cut across large areas of England and Wales, affecting homes and transport networks. National Grid said it was caused by issues with two power generators but the problem was now resolved. Blackouts were reported across the South East, South West and North East of England, the Midlands and Wales. Trains were delayed and cancelled, and traffic lights in parts of London stopped working.

At the height of the Friday rush hour, all trains out of King's Cross were suspended. The BBC's Emma Petrie said there was an announcement asking passengers to leave the station. Boards at Waterloo station showed no trains departing on any platforms.

Harriet Jackson, 26, said there was an "apocalyptic" scene on Northcote Road, in Battersea, when traffic lights cut out and cars were not stopping. "Given it's a Friday afternoon, it's the last thing you want to encounter," she said. Passengers at Newcastle Airport said the power cut out for about 15 minutes, but Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports said they had not been affected. Scott McKenzie, 31, from Cardiff, said "various alarms were going off" at Newcastle Airport. "We were literally plunged into darkness and people were using their phones as torches to see and get around," he added.