Representation by Govia Thameslink Railway ( G T R) (Govia Thameslink Railway ( G T R))
- Date submitted
- 18 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
GTR original response to Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) consultation raised concerns regarding capacity of the Brighton-Gatwick-London railway (Brighton Mainline BML) that have not been addressed. The 3 paragraphs under Rail Strategy state (they are in discussion about rail improvements outside peak times, that service levels are lower, but a significant number of rail related journeys could be attracted to rail), despite the GTR consultation response stating additional capacity was required and providing details of off peak crowding. GAL has not engaged with GTR Strategic Planning about the concerns raised in our consultation response. The only additional trains in the peak are 2 per hour stopping trains that attach to another train at Redhill with a very slow journey time to London Victoria, and an additional fast train that doesn't stop at Gatwick Airport to London Bridge. These additional trains fill the space for perturbation when trains run late, and if ran all day would be very high risk as it would not be possible to recover from small delays all day, with the delays getting exported to much of the national rail network as trains from the BML line run to other mainlines including interaction with trains to the Midlands, North and Scotland. Unless additional capacity is provided to accommodate the additional passengers comfortably, expanding use of Gatwick Airport will result in even worse crowding of trains between the Sussex Coast and London than already exists both peak and off peak. This will suppress the economic growth required to support the additional population from housebuilding currently underway in Sussex and result in significant increase of car use and road congestion undermining GAL's ability to reach its target for rail mode share of surface access. Additional passengers using Gatwick Airport will significantly increase passenger use on the BML. This railway has significant passengers standing in uncomfortable crowded conditions both peak and off peak and the track is at full capacity, unable to reliably increase the train service. There is significant housebuilding in Sussex that will generate a significant increase of passenger use on trains running through Gatwick Airport. The Croydon Area Restructuring Scheme and wider Brighton Mainline Upgrade has been paused with no funding, but even that will not be enough to accommodate the expected additional passengers by mid-century. GTR response to the DfT's London and South Coast Corridor Study proposed building a new railway between central London, Gatwick Airport and the Sussex Coast to accommodate predicted growth. For Gatwick expansion to take place it is critical that funding is made available to increase railway capacity between the Sussex Coast, Gatwick Airport and Central London. Additional Airport capacity at Gatwick Airport should not be provided or used until sufficient rail capacity has increased to enable passengers to travel comfortably beyond mid-century as proposed by GTR in our response to the London and South Coast Corridor Study and explained in our response to the GAL airport expansion consultation.