Rail services to Gatwick Airport have been disrupted after several sinkholes were discovered near Purley station during routine engineering work. The findings have prompted authorities to close the affected rail line as a safety precaution.

The sinkholes were detected during scheduled maintenance activities in the Purley area, which serves as a key junction on the route between central London and Gatwick Airport. Engineers conducting the work identified multiple ground instabilities that required immediate attention.

Rail operators have suspended services on the affected line while safety assessments are conducted and repair work begins. The closure impacts passengers traveling to and from Gatwick Airport, one of the UK's busiest aviation hubs.

Transport authorities have not yet provided a timeline for when normal service will resume. The discovery highlights ongoing infrastructure challenges facing Britain's aging rail network, where ground conditions and decades of use can create unexpected maintenance issues.

Passengers are being advised to seek alternative transport arrangements or check for service updates before traveling. The incident underscores the critical nature of regular engineering inspections in maintaining rail safety standards.