Specialist steel beams are to be installed on a bridge on the A23 to help protect it from damage caused by bridge strikes.

The bridge, near Coulsdon South station, takes the Brighton Main Line over the A23 and has been hit multiple times by large vehicles, causing delays to trains.

To allow the work to be carried out, Network Rail says that the car park at Coulsdon South will be affected on the following dates:

• Monday 1 September to Friday 17 October 2025: Some spaces will be closed, though EV and Blue Badge spaces will be unaffected.
• Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 October 2025: main car park will be closed
• Monday 20 to Friday 29 October 2025: up to 14 standard spaces will again be unavailable. The blue badge and electric vehicle charging spaces will remain available.

Network Rail has also confirmed that there will be road closures on Brighton Road.

• Night-time road closures will run Monday to Friday, 21:00 to 05:30 from 08/09/2025 to 17/10/2025
• Full weekend road closures will be in place 24/7 during Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October.

Lucy McCauliffe, Sussex Route Director, Network Rail, said: “We work hard to prevent bridge strikes across the railway by improving signage, educating drivers, and trialling new technology like over-height vehicle detection systems. But where strikes continue to happen, we also install protection beams like these to shield vital infrastructure. These works at Brighton Road will help reduce delays and improve the reliability of services for thousands of passengers each day.

“Thank you to the local community and car park users for their understanding while we carry out these important upgrades”.