The independent campaign for a better bigger railway
Railfuture campaigns for:
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on-time trains
getting a seat
value for money
frequent services
quicker journeys
simple fares
clear accurate information
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helpful customer service
safe clean trains/stations
easy bus connections
empty car/cycle spaces
industry teamwork
more freight by rail
new stations and lines
Learning points
 Network Rail Long Term Planning Process
 Message for campaigners
 collaborate with strategic stakeholders to identify the
economic and environmental needs
 define the matching benefits to be secured through transport
improvements
 do not obsess over proposing 'solutions'.
 Success through incremental development
 Airdrie – Bathgate
 Electrified double track main line
 Started as single track diesel Bathgate – Edinburgh service
 Chiltern Evergreen
The exam question
 DfT statement 9th May:
NR to review Lewes–Uckfield reopening
 Can reopening Uckfield - Lewes add network capacity
and drive economic growth?
Bridge the Gap – Connect East Sussex
 Travelling across East Sussex isn’t easy
 congested roads between Weald and South Coast towns
 Uckfield train to London 25 min longer than Wivelsfield
 only two through trains to London from Newhaven
 London trains from Eastbourne and Brighton overcrowded
 Extend trains from Uckfield to Lewes and Brighton
 direct services from Weald to Brighton for jobs
 faster more reliable trains from Uckfield to London
 direct London to Newhaven trains, helping regeneration
 alternative route to London, relieving Brighton Main Line
Bridge the Gap campaign plan
 Railfuture is working with consultants JRC to:
 Collect evidence of economic and transport needs in
Sussex
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where do people live, work and meet?
where are the transport gaps?
engage key stakeholders
build public and stakeholder recognition
 Create vision of regional economic growth
 enabled by better travel links between communities and
principal economic centres.
 Mobilise active support of stakeholders to:
 agree an achievable scope
 identify solution options
 propose solution which stakeholders can fund
Sussex transport needs - 1
 Economic factors
 Brighton is key employment centre
 Decline in rural employment
 Deprived communities in Newhaven and Hastings
 New homes planned
 High level of commuting
 Fuel prices increasing but incomes static
 Limitations
 Rail services at capacity
 A27 is only dual carriageway across East Sussex
 Bus is only public transport from Weald to South Coast
 Hastings isolated by long travel times
Sussex transport needs - 2
 Additional capacity and journey options
 Improved journey experience
 Direct link from Weald to Lewes and Brighton
 Additional South Coast to London capacity
 New traffic flows, eg Newhaven to London
 Closer, more reliable connections
 Quicker Hastings to Brighton journeys
Rail capacity constraints
 Brighton Line
 London terminals
 East Croydon junctions
 Keymer junction
 Balance of Brighton and West Coastway trains
 Uckfield Line
 Capacity at East Croydon
 Hurst Green to East Croydon double track
 Hever to Uckfield single track sections
 Brighton-facing route no longer available at Lewes
 Longer route to Brighton – times uncompetitive
 Diesel powered
The exam answer
 Evidence-based approach to identify needs
 Benefits secured through transport improvements
 Regional economic growth -> positive business case
 Partnership to energise and inspire stakeholders
 Incremental development proposal
 affordable
 meets identified needs
 opened in a foreseeable timescale
 delivers benefits agreed with stakeholders
 aligns with NR plans
 commands support of political and industry stakeholders
Reopen Uckfield–Lewes - phasing illustration
1.
CP5 (2014-19)
 Accelerate and lengthen existing services
 Increase off-peak frequency
2. CP6 (2019-24)
 New track from Uckfield to Lewes
 Connection allowing direct stopping trains to Brighton
 Limited stop trains to Newhaven or Eastbourne
 Optional electrification
 Optional connection to Tunbridge Wells West
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When East Croydon constraints resolved
 Redouble Hever to Lewes
 Electrification
 More trains
4. Cross-London link
Uckfield – Lewes rail reinstatement