Holidaymakers’ tempers flared on Sunday after the discovery of sinkholes under a railway bridge forced the suspension of train services to and from Gatwick Airport.
The holes, in and around a bridge near Purley in south London on the Brighton mainline, required ‘urgent repairs’ by engineers, Network Rail said.
All lines between Purley and East Croydon were closed while a structural engineer carried out an inspection, the rail operator added.
The closure left hundreds of passengers stranded, with pictures showing huge numbers lining the side of the road outside the airport, with a police van in attendance.
Some travellers were reportedly forced to wait several hours for a rail replacement bus, stoking anger and frustration in the crowd.
One user said on X: ‘Absolute shambles at Gatwick airport! People queuing for over 2 hours. To get network replacement coach into London. Tempers flaring amongst crowds. I’m scared!!!’
Other passengers reported having to pay hugely inflated fares for an Uber home.
‘@uber why on earth do you think it’s acceptable to charge people £250 to get from Gatwick Airport to Croydon with all the trains being cancelled? Absolutely criminal!,’ another user wrote.
The discovery of sinholes under a railway bridge near Purley in south London forced the suspension of train services to Gatwick Airport
Passengers had to endure long waits for rail replacement buses after the discovery of sinkholes forced rail operators to cancel trains
A photograph showing a sinkhole underneath the railway track near Purley in south London
Another user wrote: ‘Sinkhole in Londen. Trains to Gatwick cancelled. Sharing an uber with strangers to make it on time to fly back to Amsterdam. Most stressful 2 hours of my life. How is your Sunday?’
The blocked lines at Purley meant there were no trains to Gatwick Airport from either London Victoria or London Bridge. The Gatwick Express from Victoria was also suspended.
The line is expected to be out of use at least until Monday morning.
Southern Railway said on X: ‘A bridge requires urgent repairs just south of Purley station on the Brighton Mainline.
‘To ensure passenger safety and so repairs can be carried out as efficiently as possible, all lines have been closed.’
Sinkholes are deep holes in the ground caused by the collapse of the surface layer of rock.
They can appear saucer-shaped or shaft-like and form for a wide variety of reasons.
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: ‘There are currently no trains running between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria or London Bridge due to blocked rail lines at Purley.
Passengers wait outside Gatwick Airport following the suspension of train services to and from the aviation hub
‘Passengers travelling to the airport are advised to consider alternative routes and allow extra time for their journey.
‘For those travelling from Gatwick Airport into London, rail replacement bus services are operating between the airport and East Croydon.
‘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.’
Southern Railway and Uber have been contacted for further comment.
