Brighton Road bridge near Coulsdon South station

We’re installing protection barriers to the bridge that carries the Brighton Main Line over Brighton Road (A23) 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 will take place over the summer of 2026.

What work is taking place?

The Brighton Road bridge, which carries the Brighton Main Line over the A23, has been hit multiple times by large vehicles. This has caused delays and disruption to train services.

To tackle this, we are installing specially designed steel protection beams and a support structure. This will absorb vehicle impacts and protect the bridge structure.

In late April we worked on the four existing green steel frames located on the abutment walls on both sides of Brighton Road. These works included:

• Drilling additional holes through the existing steel frames and drilling into the masonry to install new steel anchors into the abutment walls to secure the frames.

We now plan on installing the collision beams for the bridge.

When is the work taking place and how will it affect me?

Further works on the steel frames both sides of the bridge will take place in June 2026.

To facilitate these works, some spaces in the car park at the station will be temporarily closed for two weeks from 00:01 Thursday 18 June until 06:00 on Wednesday 1 July.

There will also be alternate lane closures with traffic lights of Brighton Road overnight from 21:30 to 06:00 every night from 21:30 Thursday 18 June to 06:00 Wednesday 1 July.

In July we’ll install the crash beams on the bridge requiring full closure of the car park from 00:01 Thursday 23 July until 00:30 Wednesday 29 July.

There will also be alternate lane closures with traffic lights on Brighton Road from 21:00 Friday 24 July to 22:00 Saturday 25 July.

There will then be a full road closure in place with a signed diversion route from 22:00 Saturday 25 July to 06:00 Monday 27 July.

Final stages of the beam installation including painting and new signage will then take place overnight from 21:30 Monday 27 July to 05:30 31 July 2026.

This will require reduced spaces in the car park from 00:30 Wednesday 29 July to 05:30 Friday 31 July.

There will also be alternate lane closures with traffic lights on Brighton Road overnight from 21:30 to 05:30 every night from 21:30 Monday 27 July to 05:30 Friday 31 July.

We may require further overnight works to complete final stages of the work, but we will update you after the install of the beams in July. This may require 4 midweek night closures from 21:30 Monday 17 August until 05:30 on Friday 21 August.

These works will require a temporary closure of a small section of the car park to store our equipment over those 4 days.

A full road closure will also be in place each night from 21:30 to 05:30 the following morning from Monday 17 August to Friday 21 August.

Access to the station one way system and pedestrian access to the station will be maintained throughout the work and normal train services will run to and from Coulsdon South.

Road closures and station access

At times, traffic management and a road closure will be in place on Brighton Road to facilitate the works.

The station remains open with normal train services. Step-free access is unaffected via southern access road/south side of the station.

Car park closure 

• 10 spaces in the station car park will be closed from 00:01 Thursday 18 June to 06:00 on Wednesday 1 July to enable us to store plant machinery and welfare units. The following spaces in red will be suspended.
• The local private hire company will remain open and will have access to and from the area.
• Step-free pedestrian access to or from the station will be maintained.

The station car park access road will remain open throughout the works.

• To enable us to install the crash beams, the car park will be fully closed from 00:01 Thursday 23 July until 00:30 Wednesday 29 July.
• Final stages of the beam installation including painting and new signage will then take place overnight. This will require reduced spaces in the car park from 00:30 Wednesday 29 July to 05:30 Friday 31 July.
• We may require further overnight works to complete final stages of the work. This may require a temporary closure of a small section of the car park to store our equipment from 21:30 Monday 17 August until 05:30 Friday 21 August.

Brighton Road closures  

• From 21:30 Thursday 18 June 2026 to 06:00 Wednesday 1 July 2026 there will be alternate lane closures and one-way traffic lights in place on Brighton Road each night. Pedestrian access under the bridge will be available during this time. 

• From 21:00 Friday 24 July to 22:00 Saturday 25 July there will be a single lane closure on Brighton Road. Pedestrian access under the bridge will be available during this time.
  
• Private hire bays for the local taxi company will relocate to the south of the station car park.

• From 22:00 Saturday 25 July to 06:00 Monday 27 July 2026 there will be a full road closure with a signed diversion route in place on Brighton Road (A23). This is to make sure the public is safe while we carry out works. Whilst we carry out this:
  • The bus stops will be suspended and local TfL buses will be on a diversion route during this time.
  • Drop off and pick up will be available with a turnaround space near the bus stop on Brighton Road. There is no space to park vehicles.
  • There is no pedestrian access under the bridge during this part of the works. There will be a signed diversion route with steps to alternative routes. Those with mobility issues and unable to use steps will be escorted by marshals through the site when safe to do so.
  • Private hire bays for the local taxi company will relocate to the south of the station car park until 31 July.
    
• From 21:30 Monday 27 July to 05:30 Friday 31 July each night there will be alternate lane closures with traffic lights on Brighton Road. Bus stops on Brighton Road will remain open.
  
• From 21:30 Monday 17 August to 05:30 Friday 21 July we may need overnight road closure. Brighton Road will be fully closed with a signed diversion route in place. Pedestrian access under the bridge will not be available during these overnight closures. There will be a signed diversion route with steps to alternative routes. Those with mobility issues and unable to use steps will be escorted by marshals through the site when safe to do so.

We are working closely with the local authority, Southern and Thameslink, and our contractors to minimise disruption and ensure safe access for all road users and pedestrians. Access to Coulsdon South station will be maintained throughout.

Why is 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.

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.