Great Western Coffee Shop

A vehicle has struck a bridge at Shalford, this means trains cannot run between Guildford and Redhill. Replacement transport has been requested.

A vehicle has damaged a support pier of a footbridge which crosses the line at the eastern end of Shalford station, an inspection has indicated the structure is unsafe so therefore no train service will operate.

This is expected to continue until end of service.

Seems it was a NR (or subcontractor's) vehicle- oops  :o

Passengers may travel to Gatwick Airport via London. Tickets can be used on South West Trains services to London, then London Underground services to get to London Victoria. Southern trains can then be taken to Gatwick Airport.

Someone tweeted a picture of the damaged bridge.

https://twitter.com/GetSurreyDavid/status/507075126685618176

And blaming a road vehicle.

Due to a vehicle striking a bridge between Guildford and Redhill all lines are blocked.

I'm not that familiar with Shalford station- how will the loss of this bridge affect station access?

And here's another thing. The National rail travel news page says:

Now, from Reading you might go via Paddington and Victoria, but using SWT to Waterloo you go through Clapham Junction twice, from anywhere! Apart from peak-hour fast trains on the SWML (non-stop through CLJ) it's always better to change there.

I thought that was a standard routeing and fare, though that seems not to be the case now.  I've gone that way before when the direct route from Wokingham was messed up, even only slightly. It's about 1h40, or 30 minutes longer, but with more trains can work out not so bad and more reliable.

I wondered that and had a look at stations plans and Google maps.   As far as I can tell, there's a TVM on the Guildford bound platform but not on the Redhill side.  There are platform entrances on both sides, but I can't see a particularly obvious route around via roads / footpaths.   It appears not to be in a penalty fare zone, so I think you can hop on and buy your ticket in the Redhill direction from the Train Manager?

Line is now closed again- the bridge is being demolished.

I'm not that familiar with Shalford station- how will the loss of this bridge affect station access?

Someone tweeted a picture of the damaged bridge.

https://twitter.com/GetSurreyDavid/status/507075126685618176

I wonder whether tickets were being accepted on Gatwick Express? That option wouldn't allow for a change at Clapham Junction.

South West Trains, Southern Railway and London Underground are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for First Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.

A temporary repair has been made and trains are now able to run, but delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected until the end of service.
A full repair to the bridge will take place overnight.

Alternative travel arrangements

Passengers may use South West Trains, Southern and London Underground services on any reasonable route.

I can't see any damage. The picture is too overexposed for me to make anything out.

Trains cancelled after rail maintenance vehicle hit footbridge

Services from Guildford to Redhill were disrupted for most of Wednesday because of damage to the bridge at Shalford railway station

(http://i2.getsurrey.co.uk/incoming/article7710962.ece/alternates/s615/IMAG0220.jpg)
Damage at Shalford station with the rubble visible just behind the signal

Train services between Guildford and Redhill were cancelled for much of Wednesday after a rail maintenance vehicle hit a footbridge at Shalford station.

The Network Rail-owned vehicle struck the bridge at the eastern end of the station just before 5am on Wednesday, damaging a support and leaving a pile of rubble on the eastbound platform.

A message to passengers on the National Rail website warned: "A vehicle has damaged a support pier of a footbridge which crosses the line at the eastern end of Shalford station, an inspection has indicated the structure is unsafe so therefore no train service will operate."

A Network Rail spokesman apologised for the disruption, adding at around 3.30pm that the line was clear and "trains will begin to run shortly".

A First Great Western spokesman said earlier on Wednesday morning: "The line will be closed for a while but we are hoping it may be able to open later this afternoon. Tickets will be accepted for passengers to use all reasonable routes on South West Trains, Southern and London Underground. Taxis are operating for intermediate stations and two coaches are running between Guildford and Redhill and we are hoping to get some more. We are also moving additional staff to Guildford and Redhill so there will be people on hand to help passengers. Road transport is being used as much as possible, but if people use alternative routes their tickets will be accepted."

(http://i2.getsurrey.co.uk/incoming/article7711016.ece/alternates/s615/IMAG0216.jpg)
Network Rail crews at Shalford station