Widespread Transport Disruptions Impact UK Rail and Motorways Amid Airport System Failure

Multiple transportation disruptions have affected the UK, including rail and road incidents as well as significant airport system failures. ThamesLink reported major rail delays and cancellations after two people were struck by trains between Luton and St Albans and near Gatwick Airport, impacting several rail services. On the roads, a vehicle fire on the M6 southbound between Junctions 11 and 10A caused a full carriageway closure and heavy traffic, while a crash and a broken-down lorry on the M25 near Junction 30 led to severe congestion and extended delays. Additionally, a collision on the M8 near Glasgow Airport restricted eastbound traffic, causing further delays. Beyond local incidents, a systemic vulnerability in the aviation industry was exposed when a critical system failure, linked to a suspected cyberattack on Collins Aerospace's MUSE system, disrupted check-in and baggage handling across major European airports, including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, highlighting the risks of dependency on shared digital infrastructure. These events collectively demonstrate significant challenges to the UK's transportation network from both physical accidents and cyber threats.