Railwatch is the quarterly magazine of Railfuture, which is free to members.
Non-members can subscribe to Railwatch, receiving it by post.
SubscribeThe Strategic Rail Authority is being urged to seize the opportunity offered by refranchising to create a new main line from London to the Sussex coast by reopening the Uckfield-Lewes line.
The Wealden Line Campaign has been bombarding the SRA with appeals not to let Connex's offer to rebuild the line fall by the wayside. It points out that the proposal will create two new 100mph rail clearways, to Victoria via Oxted and Croydon and to London Bridge via Tunbridge Wells.
Of course it will also free space on the London-Gatwick-Brighton main line to allow extra services and a much-needed speed-up. It can be viewed as a Gatwick rail bypass. Yet the SRA has indicated it is not interested in including the proposal in the refranchising process, under the pretext that the costs and benefits have not been properly examined.
Wealden Line campaign director Brian Hart says this is untrue. East Sussex County Council has already carried out a full feasibility study. "This golden opportunity seems about to be thrown away," said Mr Hart.
"More than enough work has been carried out by the county council and Mott MacDonald on feasibility studies, engineering surveys, cost-benefit analyses, usage forecasts, new passenger demand, non-user benefit, environmental impact assessments and so on. No possible good can come from any further delay and procrastination.
"The scheme is vital to the economic and environmental health of south east England."
Dr Hart added: "People stop me in the street and despairingly ask me: 'What do we have to do?' and I can no longer answer them. >How many reports, investigations and studies must we complete before someone has the guts to get on with the job? Let's have some action!"
Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.
[Railwatch Home] [Prev Issue (83)] [Railwatch Issues] [RIS Progress Reports] [SRUBLUK Progress Reports] [Next Issue (85)] [Railfuture Home]
Rail users are encouraged to join Railfuture to help us campaign for a bigger and better railway - membership for individuals is just £20 per year
Railfuture is an independent, voluntary group representing rail users in Britain with 20,000 affiliated and individual members. It is not funded by train companies, political parties or trade unions, and all members have an equal say.
Railfuture campaigns for cheap and convenient rail services for everyone; better links for buses, bikes and pedestrians; policies to get more heavy lorries on to rail; new lines, stations and freight terminals. In short, a better rail service and a bigger rail system for both passengers and freight.
Railfuture is pro-rail but not anti-road or anti-air. However, we campaign for a switch from road and air to rail. We do not interfere in the running of the railway - we campaign for the quality and range of services provided, not how they are delivered. We are the only champion of all rail users.
Railfuture is the campaigning name of Railfuture Ltd.
A not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee.
Registered in England and Wales No. 05011634.
Registered Office: Edinburgh House, 1-5 Bellevue Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7NP (for legal correspondence only).
All other correspondence to 14 Ghent Field Circle, Thurston, Suffolk IP31 3UP
© Copyright Railfuture Ltd 2024.
Railfuture is happy for extracts to be used by journalists, researchers and students. We would, however, appreciate a mention of Railfuture in any article, website or programme. Except with Railfuture's express written permission, no one should distribute or commercially exploit the content.
Privacy Statement
Click Privacy to read Railfuture's GDPR statement on how we treat your data.08.03.2024
This site does not use its own cookies, although Google Analytics does. Hosted by TSO Host (cPanel) and maintained for Railfuture by Billing Specialists Ltd.