Landslip delays trains from Brighton and Hove to London

A landslip has caused delays on the first day back at work for thousands of commuters from Brighton and Hove.

But the busiest spell of the morning had passed before the landslip between Gatwick and Purley which followed sustained heavy rain.

The landslip was reported to Network Rail at about 9.30am and affected the fast track heading into London.

The line was reopened by 11am.

A reduced speed limit is still in operation causing delays of about half an hour on some services.

The main Brighton to London train operator Southern said: “Due to a landslip on the quarry (fast) lines between Gatwick and Purley we are currently operating a reduced mainline train service with delays expected to all train services between Gatwick and London.”

Southern added that there would be delays between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon until further notice.