Heathrow chaos as tunnel closure sparks overcrowding and Elizabeth line suspension

Holidaymakers were left in "chaos" at Heathrow Airport after a tunnel closure left train platforms at the airport overcrowded.

Long tailbacks built up towards Britain’s busiest airport as the road tunnel to Terminals 2 and 3 was shut on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of passengers were left waiting for over an hour as they tried to reach their flights during the busy holiday period, with Heathrow advising people to try and take public transport to reach the terminals.

At one stage, the airport's terminals became so busy trains on the Elizabeth Line had to stop running between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow due to overcrowding.

One passenger, Scott Roberts, told the Standard it took him around 80 minutes to travel 100 metres at the airport because it was so crowded.

He explained that he was unable to get out of a lift at Terminal 3 during the disruption as there were so many people in front of him.

Mr Roberts explained: “We eventually got out, but everything was at a standstill. We had no information or anybody to explain what had happened.

“I got a message from Virgin stating the tunnel between the station and terminals 2 and 3 was closed.

“It was hot and sweaty and people were getting irate.”

He continued: “I had left in good time but I am sure people would have missed their flights.

“I had to run through the airport but for me the biggest problem was a total lack of information.”

Another passenger described how they had become stuck after stepping off the train at Heathrow before waiting around an hour to get through the airport.

Tobi, who was travelling on his birthday, told the Standard: “The airport itself [was] really crowded but at least it is not stuck or immobile.”

The rest of the Elizabeth Line was also hit by severe delays on Tuesday morning, making it difficult for passengers to reach the airport from central London.