27.02.18
Croydon station to get major expansion as Brighton Main Line work approved
Network Rail this week revealed plans to expand East Croydon station after the government approved funding for wider upgrades across the Brighton Main Line.
The work will see two new platforms built at the station, with the addition of new concourse areas and improved links to the wider area.
Network Rail also plans to deal with the ‘Croydon bottleneck’ – where several routes coming into and out of London converge – by developing new grade-separated junctions which would reduce delays and stop the congestion that can often develop in the area.
The funding announcement means that engineers can begin to develop more detailed designs for the track and station around Croydon in anticipation of work, expected to begin fully in 2019.
“Redeveloping the railway through Croydon is the only practical way to further improve the reliability of services on the Brighton Main Line and transform journeys between London, Gatwick Airport and the south coast,” commented John Halsall, Network Rail’s south east route managing director.
“The Croydon bottleneck is now the single biggest cause of congestion and delays to passengers on this vital rail artery and means that the railway is now effectively full at the busiest times of day. That’s not surprising when you consider that 50% more passengers pass through East Croydon each day than on the busiest parts of the East Coast or West Coast main lines.”
Following the government’s approval, Network Rail will now begin to produce a business case to analyse plans for the project, as well as carry out full public consultation so that local people and passengers can have a say on the designs.
Angie Doll, passenger services director for Southern, who manages East Croydon station, said: “There are almost as many passengers passing through East Croydon as all the intercity journeys to the north of London put together. This section of railway also has more train movements over it than anywhere else in Britain, making it a major factor in delays and disruption to our services.
“Our wholesale recast of the timetable this May will help us run a more reliable railway but the work announced here will also be warmly welcomed by Southern and Thameslink passengers alike.”
The work will complement a further £300m of government funding announced last year aimed at boosting the resilience and reliability of infrastructure on key routes in the south east.
The bottleneck itself is said to be responsible for delays and congestion to potentially around 300,000 passengers who travel through the route every day.
Local councils have been involved alongside Network Rail and the DfT in planning the work, with Cllr Tony Newman, leader of Croydon City Council, saying he was delighted with the announcement to what is a “major transport hub in the south east.”
Engineers revealed that there will be a number of upcoming closures as part of the work, including two major planned closures to upgrade the track and signalling and to repair historic tunnels between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes during the October 2018 and February 2019 half-terms.
Top image: Network Rail
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