Calls for electrification of the Uckfield line

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FROM THE PAGES OF THE RAILNEWS.


TravelWatch calls for Uckfield line sparks to fly
London TravelWatch has called for electrification of the Uckfield line
IN its response to the Department for Transport’s new South Central franchise consultation, London TravelWatch, the watchdog for transport users in and around London, has called for electrification of the Uckfield line in East Sussex to avoid platform capacity problems at London Bridge. These are set to reduce the line’s through services during reconstruction as part of the Thameslink expansion project.

TravelWatch says that a consequent proposed reduction of two to one through morning and evening peak hour Uckfield services will drive many of the route’s recently-gained commuters back to Haywards Heath or Tunbridge Wells where their vacated capacity on Brighton and Hastings line trains has already been taken up.

Its response adds: “Any attempt within the life of the new south Central franchise to increase capacity on these routes to accommodate displaced Uckfield line passengers could come only at the expense of reduced services at stations closer to London, most likely on the Redhill corridor between Gatwick Airport and Purley and at Sevenoaks and Chelsfield.”

To avoid the problem, TravelWatch suggests that the Uckfield line be electrified as soon as possible to allow integration of rolling stock diagrams with other South Central services and maintenance of peak frequencies by joining and splitting with East Grinstead line trains at Oxted.

Also in response to the consultation, TravelWatch has called for major improvement to Gatwick airport to Watford Junction/Milton Keynes Central services and for ministerial approval for work on phase two of London Overground’s East London Line extension to Clapham Junction