NETWORK RAIL is warning that train services through London Bridge will continue to be seriously disrupted today, after a sink hole appeared under the railway at Forest Hill.

The hole is linked to a sewer and it is deeper than first reported, at around 15 metres.

Network Rail rushed repair teams to the site last night, but hopes that the problem could be resolved by pouring up to 50 tonnes of ballast into the gap appear to have been dashed, and it is now clear that the work will take longer.

Paul Rutter, area director for Network Rail, said: "Upon further investigation, the hole which was found on the railway in the Forest Hill area has now been identified as running above an active sewer. Network Rail engineers are working with our counterparts at Thames Water as quickly and as safely as possible to determine the best way to fix the problem.

"Because of the location of the hole we are unlikely to be able to run trains on all four tracks through to London Bridge this morning which will cause disruption that looks likely to continue throughout the day. Passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys, with further details to follow as soon as they are available. We apologise sincerely for the disruption and assure passengers both Network Rail and Thames Water are working as hard as possible to restore the railway to full capacity."

Govia Thameslink Railway warned that many of its services will be diverted or cancelled.

Horsham to London Bridge services will be diverted to Victoria and main line services to London Bridge from Littlehampton, Bognor Regis and Eastbourne will be cancelled.

Trains between East Grinstead, Uckfield, Caterham and Tattenham Corner and London Bridge will still run, but they will be diverted via Crystal Palace,

Passengers are being advised to use Victoria, or Blackfriars in the case of Thameslink, because there are no trains from East Croydon to London Bridge.

Southeastern services are not affected.