Swan delays Surrey trains into London Waterloo

Image source, SW_Trains

Image caption, The swan is now being cared for

Beleaguered rail commuters forced to endure delays caused by works at London Waterloo had more misery heaped on them by a swan.

The bird waddled on to the track between Egham and Ashford, Surrey, causing a back up towards Waterloo at around 07:30 BST.

South West Trains said the swan was moved quickly but services were delayed by 30 minutes throughout the morning.

A spokesman for the rail company apologised for the disruption.

He said "staff attended the site and moved the swan to safety" but the incident caused further "knock-on delays", particularly between Clapham Junction and Waterloo.

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While some commuters were quick to forgive the avian trespasser on Twitter, others vented their anger at South West Trains for it being the "fourth day in a row" of delays.

The company tweeted that "every effort is being made to move the swan" but frustrated commuters bit back saying "honk the horn" and "how long does it take to remove a Swan? Not exactly an elephant is it?".

Ten platforms at Waterloo - half the station - have been closed since the weekend as part of an 拢800m Network Rail rebuilding programme, which finishes later this month.