Passengers have been left stranded at Gatwick Airport in London after train lines were closed after sink holes were discovered.
The shocking development has shut all train lines between Purley and East Croydon, throwing many into transport chaos this afternoon.
The Gatwick Express is also suspended and isn’t expected to run until Monday morning as baffled passengers were seen waiting at the airport.
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostToday19:13 BST
Pictures shared by Southern Railways shows damage to a bridge after an urgent safety inspection of the track took place earlier this afternoon between London Victoria and Clapham Junction.
A hole has opened up between the tracks(Image: @SouthernRailUK/X)
Daylight can be seen from below(Image: @SouthernRailUK/X)
Natioal Rail have explained the situation in a video released this afternoon.
Joe SmithToday18:43 BST
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following:
- Alternative Southern and Thameslink services
- Great Western Railway buses between Dorking (Main) and Gatwick Airport
- London Buses 166, 405, 407, 434 between Croydon / Purley and Tattenham Corner / Caterham / Epsom / Epsom Downs
- London Trams between East/ West Croydon to Wimbledon
- London Underground on any reasonable route across all London Terminals
- Metrobus routes:200 between Horsham, Littlehaven, Faygate (Town), [Bewbush], Ifield, Gatwick Airport270 between Brighton, Haywards Heath and Brighton460 between Crawley and Epsom
- Southeastern any reasonable route between Hastings / Tonbridge towards London
- South Western Railway between Epsom / Portsmouth Harbour and London Waterloo
Joe SmithToday18:35 BST
A motorist has shared images of the traffic chaos around Gatwick this afternoon after the rail disruption had a knock on effect.
Joe SmithToday18:34 BST
Southern Railway has shared a list of running services for those who were already travelling.
The train operator is still urging people not to travel until the end of the day.
If you are already out travelling, below is a list of the services running alongside alternate travel which is available. Please bare in mind these will be extremely busy and you may need to wait for the next option.
Southern services between London Bridge and Caterham are running as normal but may see some delays Southern services from London Victoria towards Bognor Regis / Portsmouth Harbour will divert via Dorking (where possible) and will not run between Clapham Junction and Horsham.
Southern services between London Victoria towards Ore / Littlehampton will only run as far as Haywards Heath so will be cancelled between London Victoria and Haywards Heath
Southern services between London Victoria and East Grinstead are running as normal but may see some delays.
There is no service between Purley and Tattenham Corner.
Joe SmithToday18:32 BST
Gatwick Airport said: “There are currently no trains running between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria or London Bridge due to blocked rail lines at Purley.
“Passengers travelling to the airport are advised to consider alternative routes and allow extra time for their journey.
“Due to high demand, passengers at the airport may experience longer waiting times for rail replacement services, and we appreciate your patience while alternative transport is in place.”
Joe SmithToday18:31 BST
Reedham – Coulsdon Town – Woodmansterne – Chipstead – Kingswood – Tadworth – Tattenham Corner.
Joe SmithToday18:31 BST
Southern Railway has posted pictures showing damage to a bridge just south of Purley station on the Brighton Mainline.
Joe SmithToday18:27 BST
A message from Southern Railway added: “Urgent repairs are needed to a bridge at Purley, resulting in all lines at this station being closed.
“Trains are currently unable to run to/from or through this station, and will be cancelled or revised.”
Joe SmithToday18:26 BST
A message shared by Gatwick Express on X read: “All lines are blocked between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon. Gatwick Express services will be altered and you may need to change onto more than usual trains.”
Due to the disruption, Gatwick Express services will only run between London Victoria and East Croydon, the company said.
Joe SmithToday18:25 BST
Sinkholes were discovered, leading to the closure of all train lines between Purley and East Croydon. The Gatwick Express is also suspended and isn’t expected to run until Monday morning.
Joe SmithToday18:21 BST