Overview

• At about 12:30 pm, a learner driver’s double-decker bus struck the underside of the A215 Portland Road railway bridge in South Norwood, peeling off its roof
• Portland Road was closed in both directions, with bus routes 130 and 197 diverted and surrounding streets experiencing heavy congestion
• Network Rail reopened tracks after a safety inspection but warned that residual delays on London Overground, Southern and Thameslink services could persist until 6 pm
• Transport for London urged motorists to avoid the area and review their travel plans as recovery crews clear debris and investigators assess the crash
• This marks the fourth double-decker collision with a railway bridge since November 2024, prompting renewed calls for stricter driver training and clearer bridge-height signage