Bromley train commuters and Links Estate drivers affected after lorry crashed into rail bridge

Thousands of train passengers and hundreds of drivers are affected after a lorry smashed into a railway bridge in Bromley.

The structure in New Street Hill was left severely damaged and impassable after the impact before 2.30pm yesterday.

Southeastern’s Bromley North branch was immediately closed as a result.

People living in homes on that road but also Oak Tree Gardens, Timians Way, Leamington Avenue and Close and Portland Road were told they could not drive home at the end of the working day so had to park in Burnt Ash Lane or Milk Street.

Most had to walk around the scene and through Green Chain Walk or Chinbrook Park to their homes on the Links Estate at the end of the working day.

But thousands of train commuters were also hit by the closure of the line between Grove Park and Sundridge Park stations.

The Bromley North branch of the line, which runs Southeastern trains to Kent from London, was blocked until this morning after the incident.

National Rail has apologised for anyone whose journey has been disrupted by the closure.