Another consultation for Brighton Main Line
London TravelWatch today expressed concern that the Department for Transport (DfT) has yet again delayed any decisions on the future of the Brighton Main Line, and issued yet another consultation, Implementation of the Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy, but welcomes the fact that the DfT has listened to, and is acting on, passengers' views.
Brian Cooke, Chairman, London TravelWatch, said: "The new consultation has acknowledged some of our concerns about the earlier documents. We are pleased that the DfT has corrected an analytical error of the original document, that heavy crowding on the coastal trains is between East Croydon and London, not at Gatwick Airport - an error that is fundamental in deciding the future of this line. We are also pleased that the long-standing issue of poor off-peak services on the Redhill corridor has, at the least, been recognised.
"However, I am concerned about the continued delay in resolving this after various consultations, over a two year period - how many consultations does it take for the DfT to get it right?"
London TravelWatch is also concerned that the document mentions that the earliest proposed changes could be implemented would be 2008.
Brian Cooke continued:"We'd like the DfT to work hard after the consultation period ends this December to try for December 2007 implementation, so passengers can benefit as soon as possible. In the meantime, London TravelWatch will study the various options with great care and respond to the consultation in the interest of our passengers."
London TravelWatch's previous responses can be found here and here.
For more information, please contact Jo deBank in the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or 07734 055494.
The voice of London's transport users
29 September 2006