National Highways said in a statement: "Due to urgent repairs on rail network, expect increased traffic M23 west spur towards Gatwick Airport.

"All lanes open A23 west towards North Terminal after Airport Way Roundabout E Delays have now cleared."

(Image: Ceri Breeze/Getty Images)

Lines have reopened following urgent repairs to a bridge at Purley - but National Rail is still urging people not to use the service.

This is because fewer trains than normal are able to run through Purley station and as a result, trains may still be cancelled or delayed.

A spokesperson said : "You are advised not to travel. Major disruption is expected until the end of service."

In its latest update, Network Rail said its engineers "have carried out thorough inspections on the bridge and have worked to plug the sinkholes, allowing trains to safely run again".

"Though trains are now running we do expect there to be disruption into the night so we’re urging passengers to check before travelling," they also said.

They added: "Sinkholes were spotted on the bridge, meaning that ballast, the stones that the track sits on, was falling through the gap, making the track unstable."

Lines have reopened following urgent repairs to a bridge at Purley, National Rail said. However, fewer trains than normal are able to run through Purley station. As a result, trains may still be cancelled or delayed.

People are still being advised not to travel.

Major disruption is expected until the end of the day.

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. You should keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.

If your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel or are unable to complete your journey, your unused ticket can be refunded without any fees by the original retailer.

If you bought your ticket from a train company, you can find their contact information on their website. National Rail has more information about claiming compensation on their web page.

Footage taken earlier this afternoon shows large crowds of people waiting for replacement bus services outside Gatwick airport.

In a post on X Network Rail has said sink holes were spotted on a bridge outside of Purley, meaning that ballast, the stones that the track sits on, was falling through the gap, making the track unstable

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.

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

A motorist has shared images of the traffic chaos around Gatwick this afternoon after the rail disruption had a knock on effect.

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.

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."

Southern Railway has posted pictures showing damage to a bridge just south of Purley station on the Brighton Mainline.

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."

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.