Trains services across south London are being heavily disrupted after a sinkhole appeared on one of the lines. Southern Rail said services to and from London Bridge are being altered or diverted due to a hole on the railway at Forest Hill, with services expected to be disrupted all day (18 July).

The company put an update on its website reading: "Due to a large hole affecting the track between London Bridge and East Croydon the London-bound lines are blocked. This incident is expected to affect services all day. A limited service is planned to run between London Bridge and East Croydon with some trains using a diversionary route."

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The hole is also affecting London Overground, with no services between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace / West Croydon currently running. Customers are also advised to use services from Blackfriars or Victoria where possible this evening (18 July).

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Our engineers are on site investigating a hole which has appeared next to the track at Forest Hill.

"As a result, two of the four railway lines in the area have been closed for safety reasons.

Southern Rail
The sinkhole appeared at on the Forest Hill line Southern Rail

Some trains are being diverted and we urge passengers travelling between London Bridge and East Croydon to check before they travel. We will update passengers with more information as soon we can."

Services affected:

London Bridge to Horsham services will be diverted to run between East Croydon and London Victoria and will not call ant New Cross Gate or London Bridge.

London Bridge to Caterham services will be diverted between Norwood Junction and London Bridge.

London Bridge to Tattenham Corner services will be diverted between Norwood Junction and London Bridge.

London Victoria to London Bridge services are diverted after Streatham Hill calling at all stations via Tulse Hill to London Bridge.

London Bridge to Uckfield services will be diverted between Norwood Junction and London Bridge.

LOROL services West Croydon/Crystal Palace to Dalston Junction will only run between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction.

London Bridge to Brighton (Thameslink services) will only run between Gatwick Airport and Brighton.

Southern Rail are advising all passengers to check their website for the latest updates on the delays and distruptions.