Thousands of travellers have had holiday plans thrown into chaos following the discovery of sinkholes near a vital railway bridge in South London, which connects the capital with Gatwick Airport.
The issue has forced the complete suspension of services along the Croydon corridor, a vital artery linking London with Surrey, Sussex and Gatwick Airport.
All trains, including the Gatwick Express, have been halted in both directions through Purley, effectively severing one of the region’s busiest rail routes.
The affected section forms a crucial part of the Brighton Main Line, carrying services between multiple London termini and destinations across the south.
Gatwick Airport confirmed the severity of the disruption in a statement posted on X, noting the blocked rail lines at Purley have cut all train connections between the airport and both London Victoria and London Bridge.
Gatwick Express posted on X: “An urgent safety inspection of the track is taking place between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.
“Trains have to run slower than usual when heading southbound through this area and this will cause delays.”
In addition, Southern trains posted on X: “ALL LINES ARE BLOCKED THROUGH PURLEY.
The issue has stemmed from sinkholes opening up near a railway bridge in Purley
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“This is impacting all trains running between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria/London Bridge.
“We are advising customers: Do not travel. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete your journey on our services this afternoon. We urge you to use alternative routes to complete your journey.”
Those heading to the airport have been advised to seek alternative routes and build additional time into their journeys.
Travellers departing from Gatwick towards London can access bus rail replacement services running between the airport and East Croydon.
Those heading to Gatwick Airport have been advised to seek alternative routes
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The airport warned demand for these replacement buses is high.
“Passengers at the airport may experience longer waiting times for rail replacement services, and we appreciate your patience while alternative transport is in place,” the statement said.
The blockage has triggered widespread disruption across both Southern and Thameslink networks, which depend on the corridor to shuttle trains between London terminals, the Sussex coast and key commuter destinations.
Gatwick Express services are similarly constrained by the loss of available paths through the area.
Engineers must complete a full examination of the damage and authorise any necessary remedial work before trains can be permitted to pass
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Knock-on delays and cancellations are rippling outwards to routes serving Redhill, Three Bridges and stations as distant as Horsham, Brighton and Eastbourne.
Local stations including Kenley, Coulsdon and Caterham, which rely on lines feeding through Purley, are severely affected by the closure.
No firm timeframe has been issued for the restoration of normal services through the corridor.
Structural inspections and safety evaluations of bridges can take varying amounts of time, with some incidents resolving within hours while others could take days.
Engineers must complete a full examination of the damage and authorise any necessary remedial work before trains can be permitted to pass.
Travellers intending to pass through Croydon, Purley or Gatwick are being urged to monitor live journey updates and prepare backup plans should services remain cancelled or diversionary routes become overcrowded.