Brighton Road bridge near Coulsdon South station
We’ve installed protection barriers to the bridge that carries the Brighton Main Line over Brighton Road (A237) to protect the bridge and the railway from vehicle collisions.
Project timeline
Work began on 1 September 2025 and the final sections of the work took place over the summer of 2026.
What work took place?
The Brighton Road bridge, which carries the Brighton Main Line over the A237, has been hit multiple times by large vehicles. This has caused delays and disruption to train services.
To tackle this, we installed specially designed steel protection beams and a support structure. This will absorb vehicle impacts and protect the bridge structure.
When did the work take place?
The work began in September 2025 and the collision beams were installed in July 2026. We completed the final stages of the work on Friday 21 August.
Why was the work needed?
Bridge strikes are a major cause of train delays and infrastructure damage. Despite efforts like improved signage and driver education, the Brighton Road bridge continues to be hit. Installing protection beams is a proven solution that will safeguard the bridge, reduce delays, and improve reliability for thousands of daily passengers.
Sign up for email updates
Sign-up with your email address to receive updates on the Sussex region upgrade and information on projects taking place across the Southern region.
Our privacy notice applies to the personal information that Network Rail collects about you, or that you provide to us. It explains how and why we use your personal information, who we disclose it to and how we protect your privacy.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please visit our contact us page or telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 quoting Brighton Road Bridge.