MP for East Surrey Peter Ainsworth has welcomed plans announced by BAA and National Express Group to safeguard the long-term future of the vital Gatwick Express service.
Peter Ainsworth commented:
‘The Gatwick Express is a vital service that reduces pollution and airport-destined traffic. These proposals are a workable and realistic alternative to the Strategic Rail Authority’s plan to scrap the service.’
The SRA, whose responsibilities have since been taken over by the Department for Transport, originally argued that scrapping the service would provide extra capacity to handle commuters on some of the busiest parts of Britain’s rail network.
Under the plans, non-stop services will be retained. Usage will be able to grow in line both with an increase in the proportion of journeys to the airport by train and passenger growth overall. The premium paid by the Gatwick Express franchisee will be retained, providing additional funds for investment in the UK rail network.
The Government have come under intense pressure to save the service, with even US Transport Secretary Norman de Mineta supporting the case for retaining the service in discussions with his British counterpart, Alistair Darling.
The BAA/National Express plans also include:
• Additional capacity for commuters at peaks times by calling at Three Bridges station;
• More off-peak capacity between the South Coast and London;
• Flexibility to the Brighton Main Line timetable, increasing reliability and punctuality and reducing delays;
• Avoiding mixing large groups of air travellers and their baggage with other rail users which causes delays and poor service standards;
• Future infrastructure improvements to further reduce delays and increase line speeds thus, improving performance on the Brighton Main Line.
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