Continued delays in improving train services on the Brighton Main Line are making passengers' journeys stressful and uncomfortable, says the South East England Regional Transport Board.

Although the Brighton Main Line has seen investment in rolling stock and power supply, the lack of action on recommended service improvements is having negative knock-on effects. An increase in the number of trains on the North Downs route between Reading and Gatwick Airport, which was promised as part of the Great Western franchise, will not now happen this year. Also, Government's proposal for the new Cross Country rail franchise suggests removing through services from Reading to Brighton.

The proposals to improve the Brighton Main Line were published in September 2004, with the Government finally publishing its recommendations in February 2006. The strategy for the route includes:

• More seats available during peak hours and improved punctuality
• Faster journey times between Sussex towns (eg Haywards Heath and Horsham) and London
• A fast, frequent, high-quality service between Gatwick Airport and London
• Maintaining rail freight train services.

Cllr Nick Skellett, Chairman of the Transport Board, said:

“The Brighton Main Line is a strategically important route. It is imperative that these service improvements are introduced if we are to make the most of the Brighton Line's potential for journeys across the region. We need to encourage public transport use in the South East, but if passengers have to endure uncomfortable journeys and multiple changes they will be reluctant to use the train next time.”

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy has been published on 2 February 2006. The review process started in September 2004. For more details see the DfT website.
2. The First Great Western Link services that are affected by the Brighton Main Line run from Reading, through to Guildford, to Redhill and Gatwick.
3. The South East England Regional Transport Board operates as a partnership board to advise Government on the region's transport priorities.
4. Cllr Nick Skellett - South East England Regional Assembly and Surrey County Council Leader chairs the Board.
   Other members from the Regional Assembly are:
   Cllr Jill Baston (Southampton CC),
   Cllr John Howarth (Reading BC),
   Cllr Mary Ballin (Bracknell BC),
   Mark Pearson (East Sussex Economic Partnership), and
   Pam Palmer (RAISE).
   Board members from other organisations are:
   John Peel (SEEDA),
   Ian Coates (Government Office for the South East),
   Simon Pratt (South East Forum for Sustainability),
   Gwyn Drake (Highways Agency),
   Clive King (Confederation of Passenger Transport) and
   Paul Plummer (Network Rail).
5. The South East England Regional Assembly is a regional partnership with 112 members representing local authorities as well as social, environmental and business sectors.
6. The Assembly was established by South East local government in January 1999 to provide a representative voice for the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
7. Assembly members include elected councillors from the region's 74 local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
8. The Assembly has four key roles:
• Advocacy
  Pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels.
• Accountability
  Scrutinising the plans and performance of regional bodies such as SEEDA to align the region's priorities.
• Regional planning
  Preparing and delivering the South East Plan - the 20-year statutory plan for the region that sets the framework for the sustainable development of the South East.
• Regional policy
  Advising Government on the co-ordination of regional strategies and spending priorities for housing, transport, planning and economic development to improve the impact of public expenditure.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 21 August 2007