GM and Public Meeting - All welcome

 

East-West and North-South for emergent Unitary Surrey!

Dear All,

Pertinent Rail-based Transport Matters

Introduction: The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) is a voluntary membership-based association which punches above its weight. We want a nationwide government backed programme of local rail reopenings, select pieces of conventional rail rebuilds and existing rail capacity enhancements. So far this has been piecemeal and rail does not enjoy a level playing field in terms of schemes wanted and bided for contrast road upgrades and new-builds which the state does the homework for than asking promoters to DIY for example. It is often said that local authorities, getting them on board is the first step to getting a scheme off the ground. That can be true, but things need to be seen in the round of local, regional and strategically national welfare, benefit and gains is we tip the balances back to local rail and what it potentially can offer. For example, many think of freight by rail as block containers rumbling away, whereas parts of the network deal with smaller freight like parcels. BRTA wants these services to be joined-up to offer a diverse nationwide range of all sized freight for customers and translating that, more incentives for distributors including Amazon and couriers to send lion’s share, more post, parcels and cater for (supermarkets too) cages, pallets and other mix-load consignments. London has always been a main market for people and goods, but longer distances and moving cars and lorries by rail is very limited currently.

BRTA believes guage enhancements on some lines like the Brighton Main Line would enable double-deck Dutch passenger services, creating more seats and capacity on what is fast becoming a very busy railway with diverse operations and huge demand as the closures and subsequent resurgence in demand, means so much filters to it with few if any rail alternative routes.

We call for a study on individual and regionally-based ideas we are putting before the public and government tiers and regional agencies, to progress them and make delivery the priority rather than pontification, dithering and getting lost the big vision amidst minutiae of the small ‘p’ politics. We need local aspiration and national government policy, leadership, direction and investment for growth to meet and inform a series of inter-linking rail network enhancements.

Please see these websites for wider vision for South East Regional areas:

https://brtarail.com/southeast/ and https://brtarail.com/guildford-cranleigh-horsham/

Key areas in brief:

1.  Redhill Reforms: Redhill Station is very busy with people and trains reversing in and out. Gatwick, Tonbridge, Guildford and South London all have a claim to access it. It takes time, changing presents a barrier to demand. Gatwick is a principal demand location and increasingly so as is Brighton Main Line. BRTA suggests:

a.   Direct curves to Gatwick from the Guildford (North Downs Lines) and that of the Tonbridge Lines direct to Gatwick = new build. It would shave 20 minutes off end-to-end journey times, enable growth by rail and enable longer distance trains to reach the airport, reducing local clutter on and off the rails.

b.  A study into a new-build viaduct across the valley at Redhill linking North Downs Lines with that of Tonbridge Lines (they would need expanded tracks for the direct curves and new bore of the Tonbridge Line). The benefits would be:

-        Channel Tunnel-Reading direct passenger and freight access by rail – takes on heavy road usage and cuts emissions.

-        It would enable direct travel between places like Guildford and Reading to the west, to/from places like Kent and Ashford without recourse to Redhill delays and clutter.

-        If the study showed growth by rail, that is gain.

2.  Guildford-Horsham:

This rail link needs studying and route protection via development control/tailoring and building the case for the rail link amidst development and harmful impacts on congested local roads and land-use parking demand in urban areas. It would:

a.  Enable Gatwick-Guildford-Reading and vice versa (Gatwick from the south) informing a loop with aforementioned reforms at Redhill. That would enable 24x7 train operations and relieve existing line.

b.  With a new curve at Arundel, direct Horsham/Cranleigh/Guildford to the South Coast (Portsmouth, Chichester, Shoreham and Brighton) and those audiences to Horsham, Cranleigh, Guildford and ‘not via London’ access to Reading and beyond and vice versa, freeing up London-centric seats, saving time and possibly money.

c.               It needs a proper study, making the case as a through route with fresh eyes and a determined political will to push it through as essential local infrastructure. Guildford and Horsham are congested and as development goes in, the railway becomes ever more sought after. It can be done if we act now, another 10 years pontification and rejectionism, just exacerbates operational problems and compounds against sustainable urban footfall, spend and quality of life issues.

3.              North Down Line Potential: As well as our suggested Redhill Reforms, the North Downs Line, a long-time Cinderella line, needs investment in the form of extending third-rail electrification enabling direct semi-fast running of Thameslink Trains from East Croydon to Guildford and vice versa integrated. A Phase 2 could be extension to Reading, which informs a South outer-London orbital rail network, which brings many new and diverse capacity opportunities to more by rail along these lines. The current diesel service is inadequate, poxy, gets crowded with people and luggage (principally for the airport) and takes end-to-end a while. The link direct from Guildford to East Croydon, would enable more direct commuting options, more carriages and more employment opportunities without adding to road journeys.

5.  Heathrow and Old Oak Common: BRTA believes that trains and platforms can accommodate diverse rail services. Therefore, sharing tracks ‘common infrastructure’ should be the approach for enhancing new rail-links with Heathrow and the emergent Old Oak Common (OOC) Interchange Station in West London. We call for:

6.               Southern Heathrow Link: https://heathrowrail.com/ should link Guildford and with a west to north curve, enable direct Waterloo direction trains both to the Heathrow Airport vicinity from the southern lines. Likewise, the arms from a joined-up Windsor Link and that of a Reading Western Arm. They can share tracks, platform spaces and should have baying facilities at Old Oak Common. In addition, we call for a study in a direct twin-track tunnel link with the Chiltern Main Lines and for Chiltern services to have baying platforms at OOC too from the North (Banbury and Aylesbury). This would create an arc from Guildford/Woking to the Oxbridge East-West Rail corridor (emergent) linking with Milton Keynes and Bedford for example with wider national rail links ‘not via London’ with changing trains, stations and delays and costs.

Local-regional – re-railing informs a net-work effect which enables inward and outward movements of people and goods by rail, it is not merely an introverted parochial matter, not is it ‘otherly’ and not our concern. Rail brings people together and restores, underscores and enhances local people, places, communities, land-use stewardship balances and that of wildlife and public health and that of the environment.

BRTA stands ready to talk, engage and court support as much as possible for these schemes. We welcome fresh approaches and progression towards yes a full business case, but also bringing round-table discussions to coalition moves towards informing consensus and getting the delivered by 2050 at the latest. Unless we act now, that is not a luxury that will be available by then!

Yours sincerely,

 

Richard Pill

BRTA CEO

 

British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) London-wide Vision - please share it!

Introduction: The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) has long convened forums in and around the London-wide area. That area is mainly a focus within the cordons of the M25, but also radial rails and calls for an equivalent orbital M25 rail alternative. The purpose of these calls and agendas is to bring rail-based solutions to cutting traffic, congestion, emissions, blight, lower ill-health, improve environmental and well-being conditions to live, work and breathe in the London area. We want to optimise the potential and believe whilst we aspire to a London-wide plan and court studies for incremental phased improvements, support and studies and moving specific schemes forward for adoption, acceptance and delivery must be speeded up and happen quicker. The case of the Dudding Hill Lines from North-East London to South-West London is a case in point, discussed and floated for years, but still a decade away from delivery, when it and its benefits are needed now.

 

Schemes at a glance:

 

1.          Lower Thames River Crossing: BRTA believe a the crossing should be a rail-based solution, not road-based scheme? It has been quoted as potentially costing £13 billion, chiefly government funded, which will bring more traffic, pollution and delays to existing roads in Essex and Kent, whereas a rail-based tunnel could bring freight from the Channel Tunnel for example to the wider East Anglia Rail Network, North London Lines and radial lines relieving the West London Lines with more capacity for more freight by rail. It would also enable East Anglia passenger trains from Norwich-Canterbury-Channel Tunnel/Europe and those audiences to East Anglia; places like Norwich, Cambridge and with a new rail link from Colchester to Stansted Airport, better and wider by rail journeys to/from the airport which is preparing for expansion, but with no new rail infrastructure, will attract considerable road traffic and blight.  See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8qee5n7zzo

2.              Dudding Hill Line: Reopening when? The Lines run from a triangle junction adjacent to the new Brent Cross Railway Station on the Midland Main Line across North-West London to Acton for Heathrow and new lines to Working, Waterloo, Guildford, Horsham and Portsmouth and also Reading for wider travel. Indeed BRTA has suggested as well as Gospel Oak Lines to West Hampstead to West London including Old Oak Common Interchange, a Luton Airport Parkway to Reading/Heathrow (South Chiltern Link) could boost rail-based travel to and from the Luton area and airport (expanding) and again, relieve parts of the M25, M1 and parking land use issues which cause conflict with over-demand, but also other uses for urban land like housing, employment and green-spaces for people and wildlife. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_London_Orbital

3.             Old Oak Common (OOC): Heathrow Southern (https://heathrowrail.com/ with other rail routes is to be an interchange in West London linking airport, Southern Rail Lines, Reading new-build, Windsor (new buil), a curve from Waterloo and HS2. BRTA has called for all these railway line projects and trains to come together and share expanded platforms and tracks for diverse destinations and operations. OCC represents an opportunity for rail-based travel to be able to lure people out of their cars and make travelling to a variety of regions by rail and arcing London, a popular thing to do, relieving the M25 and other radial roads. We call for bays for Chiltern Main Line trains and that of Heathrow Southern Rails to terminate at OOC as well as a tunnel to link the Southern and Chiltern Lines and Networks together. This would inform for example the ability to travel from the South Coast/Portsmouth to Guildford, Heathrow, OOC, Banbury or Aylesbury and hence via a new-build link into the East-West Oxbridge Rail Link, direct access to Milton Keynes Central and Bedford with other radial links without the need to change, trek across London and saving time, money and creating more diverse capacity for everyone’s benefit in a growth context. If, as we campaign for, a rebuild of Guildford-Cranleigh-Horsham was done and that extended to Shoreham, Brighton-Heathrow/OOC and Reading respectively would also be possible with considerable populations linked, ensuring local and regional patronage feeding each line. That is sustainable footfall and spend to a 120 mile arc from the South Coast to well north of M25 territory. 

4.             Docklands Light Railway extensions: The Docklands Rail Network has grown over the years and has proved a popular, versatile and resounding success. We believe it should be allowed to grow organically, ideally using road-space accommodation as we get people out of cars by letting the train take the strain more. See: https://www.trl.co.uk/uploads/trl/documents/TRL568.pdf BRTA calls for Docklands to have a could of lanes of the North Circular and arc to serve Brent Cross Shopping Centre and new railway station. It should be studied and maybe another branch could serve Alexandra Palace? Likewise, a Phase 2 around the South Circular to serve Crystal Palace High Level and an link to Wimbledon? A study should be done and the policy an incentive for people to choose public transport within M25 cordons more and more with less main road space needed for facilitating congestion.

5.              Chessington Line extension to Leatherhead/Epsom: Crossrail 2 (SW-NE): BRTA calls for more research, working up a business case and implementation if viable. 

6.             Croxley Link: The proposal was to bring Underground trains (The Met) to Watford Junction via a new Link to the mothballed Croxley Railway Branch and bring more choice, integration and links to the Watford Junction where people can change to a variety of places including St Albans Abbey Station. BRTA also sees there is a curve from the Amersham direction onto the Watford Branch, which could also facilitate an Aylesbury-Watford passenger service, cutting traffic on the A41 trunk road for example. Watford West need not close, you could use it for additional services and capacity, emergencies and also as a small art-deco 1930’s museum dedicated to Metroland?

7.               Muswell Hill Metro/Extend LU Lines: A study, route protection an progression is needed beit Docklands or other services. https://mhfga.org/archives/4096

8.              London Orbital Railways: East-West and North-South needed. Outer M25 ‘new’ for passenger and freight. A per hitherto mentioned, a new rail link from Bricket Wood in Hertfordshire to link with the Midland Main Line with a new station south of St Albans, north of M25, called Napsbury should be implemented for Thameslink from the south to serve Watford Junction and freight from Dudding Hill Lines and West London Lines to serve Watford and the new freight depot in an arcing pattern.

9.              Light Rapid Transits (LRT/Trams) Networks should be allowed to grow organically. A. Central London needs LRT (Light Rapid Transit Networks) (Trams) linking principal east and west and also principal main line railway termini.

10.         Kentish Town to Gospel Oak Lines 1969 closed curve, for Thameslink to North-East London integrations as well as Gospel Oak Lines to West Hampstead and Dudding Hill Lines for Reading/Heathrow. It should be studied and done for more cross-London services and integration.

11.         A new-build Pitsea-Rayleigh rail link would enable Thames Estuary/Woolwich rail links, links and networks to join the lines into Southend and boost x2-way footfall, spend and plug a gap, currently only serviced by the A13 and A130 for example. Rail could gain market share and give quick access by new audiences of South London to another seaside resort.

This list is not exhaustive.

BRTA calls for:

1.  Studies

2.  Route protections

3.  Joined-up thinking and approaches

4.  Less territorial vision and bigger inter-rgional pictures of Home Counties which bestride London and of which London is a main source of feed, impetus and demand-supply stimulus.

5.  Put people, places, land-use stewardship, the environment and wildlife first before developing every spare inch of land without adequate and comprehensive rail networks to reduce the negative impacts.

British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) AGM and Public Meeting - All Welcome! Saturday 11th July

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) is having a Public Meeting 2pm at Leicester Quaker Meeting House, 16 Queens Road, Leicester, LE2 1WP on Saturday 11^th July 2026 All welcome.

 Guest Speakers invited are:

1. Dr. Stephen Watkins (Transport & Health Science Group) - Public
Transport Matters for Health: Confirmed

2. Professor Andrew N. Williams - Northampton Rail Links: Confirmed

3. Bruce Wakley (Campaign to reopen the Ivanhoe Line - Lead of Research & Project Management/CRIL): Bruce Wakley CRIL Research & Project Management https://www.ivanhoeline.org/  

Confirmed

4. Kettering Town Council (Cllr. Ben Jameson - Mayor of Kettering) -
Northampton-Market Harborough: *

 

·  *From above: awaiting responses as we go to press.

 

Public Meeting preceded by the BRTA AGM 1pm

 

Please see: https://brtarail.com/events/

 

Main Contact: Mr Richard Pill ceo@brtarail.com

 

Buses from Leicester Railway Station to Queens Road, Leicester: https://moovitapp.com/index/en-gb/public_transportation-Queens_Road-East_Midlands-street_4491461-2103

BRTA Forums at London and Braintree coming up - all welcome!

 BRTA Forums at London and Braintree - all welcome.

BRTA Braintree Forum agenda, which is taking place on Saturday 27 June at 3-5pm at The Bull, Braintree, Market Place, Braintree CM17 3HJ Convenor: Simon Barber admin@brtarail.com Phone (landline): 020-8940-4399 Phone (mobile): 07522-374740

Agenda

1. Appointment of a chairperson for the meeting

2. Appointment of someone to take notes

3. Stansted Airport Expansion - extending the rail links into Stansted from the west onwards to link with the Braintree Branch and that of Colchester? We need new members and volunteers to work on it and get meetings underway. Email your MP as well: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

4. Lower Thames River Crossing: Should be rail-based not road. Please email your councils and MP’s and join BRTA.

5. Maldon Branch reopening: Old route gone, new route needed. Please give support for a study.

6. Extend LT Central Line to Harlow: Could be useful, needs a study.

7.  East-West Rail: Will link to Cambridge, but does it need a direct curve east to south for direct Stansted running from the Oxford corridor?

8. Cambridge-Haverhill: A study is needed and a push for it with a Phase 2 to Colchester by a new route given increasing population along it? Could be useful for freight.

9. Existing rail and buses issues and services – any scope for improvements?

10.            Any Other Business

11.             Day, Date, Time and Place of next meeting in East Anglia (Cambridge?)

Notes:

1.  Please join BRTA and help us do more and better

2.  We need an East Anglia Liaison officer to help grow our support based and campaigns in East Anglia including Hunstanton new-build to connect a major seaside resort to the rest of the rail network.

3.  Please peruse our East Anglia webpage and give feedback/offers via ceo@brtarail.com https://brtarail.com/east-anglia/

 and

BRTA London Forum Saturday 13 June at 3-5pm at The Barrel Vault, Unit 23, St. Pancras International Station, Pancras Road, London N1C 4QP Convenor Simon Barber: admin@brtarail.com

Phone (landline): 020-8940-4399 Phone (mobile): 07522-374740

 Agenda

1.             Election of a chairperson for the meeting

2.             Election of someone to take notes

3.              Lower Thames River Crossing: Should Simon/Others email the Transport Secretary/Others saying BRTA believe the crossing should be a rail-based solution, not road?  

4.              Dudding Hill Line: Reopening when? Email to find out!  

5.             Old Oak Common; Heathrow Southern & Western Railways: BRTA has a policy. How closely is this being followed? Can different operators share the same tracks? 

6.             Docklands Light Railway extensions – invite TFL for a meeting.

7.              Chessington Line extension to Leatherhead/Epsom; Crossrail 2 (SW-NE): What research has been done on assessing route, access, clearances, case merits and courting a study? We need a capable volunteer. 

8.             Croxley Link: Needs a capable volunteer to follow up and lobby for it.

9.               Muswell Hill Metro/Extend LU Lines: Bring news to the meeting and follow up councils, groups and what scope now?

10.          London Orbital Railways: East-West and North-South needed. Outer M25 ‘new’ for passenger and freight, which is why item (3) should be rail based as a starter and West London via Old Oak Common to Aylesbury/Great Central Corridor to Leicester-Nuneaton Lines.  

11.          Light Rapid Transits (LRT/Trams) Networks should be allowed to grow organically via local including Central London and Docklands Extension via North Circular Reform to Brent Cross Railway Station: Yes, but again, needs a dedicated pioneer to get about following it up.

12.         Kentish Town to Gospel Oak Lines 1969 closed curve, for Thameslink to North-East London integrations as well as Gospel Oak Lines to West Hampstead and Dudding Hill Lines for Reading/Heathrow.

13.         State of London Transport Generally, accessibility, costs, digital/analogue audiences and improvements – do a list and ideas for more by rail either side of M25.

14.         14. Any Other Business

15.              Day, Date, Time and Place of next London Forum – you must decide it at the meeting bi-monthly and tell the webmaster!

 Note: Please join BRTA, attend our forums and help be part of the answer to optimise chances of success and making things happen = the only way to chance progress! See: https://brtarail.com/become-a-member/

Please can all sign the attendance list.

Dumfries-Stranraer Rail Link Public Meeting success! Please give us your support!

 60 people attended the meeting! More to follow in due course!

On Saturday, 25th April, the British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) held its first meeting in Dumfries at the Dumfries Daycare Centre. The gathering aimed to discuss potential real improvements in Dumfries and Galloway, with a particular focus on the Dumfries to Stranraer railway line. The event attracted a commendable turnout, with at least 60 people in attendance, including Laura Moody, the Scottish Greens representative. Laura, who delivered a talk at the meeting, has publicly expressed her strong desire for the reopening of this line, highlighting the significant economic and social benefits it would bring. Her support for the project was warmly received by those present.

Despite the technical setbacks, the meeting managed to proceeded for a duration of two hours without any further delay, during which attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about the proposed route and voice any objections they might have regarding other developments in the area.

Overall, the atmosphere in the room was one of optimism and enthusiasm. Participants were keen to put a positive spin on the proposed railway development, expressing a clear preference for the reopening of the railway line over the alternative plan of dualling the A75. This sentiment was echoed throughout the meeting, underscoring the community’s desire for improved transport infrastructure.

One of the key topics of discussion was the need for more local meetings along the route of the Stranraer line. Areas such as Stranraer, Newton Stewart, Glenluce, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, and Gatehouse of Fleet were identified as potential locations for future gatherings. The suggestion was made to establish local groups that could liaise with one another regarding developments in their respective towns and villages. This collaborative approach would ensure that the voices of local communities are heard and considered throughout the planning process.

Looking ahead, there are plans to set up these local groups in the near future. Details about these initiatives will be advertised, and anyone interested in obtaining more information or getting in touch with the BRTA is encouraged to reach out to Scott Borthwick. Scott can be contacted via email at 2drscott@gmail.com

The meeting in Dumfries marked an important step forward in the ongoing discussions about the potential reopening of the Dumfries to Stranraer railway line. The strong turnout and positive engagement from attendees demonstrated a shared commitment to enhancing transport options in the region. As plans for future meetings and local group formations take shape, there is a growing sense of anticipation about the possibilities that lie ahead. The community’s collective voice will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of transport in Dumfries and Galloway.

To help us:

1. Please join BRTA as a member: 

2. Email your support to your new Scottish Parliament MSP

3. Tell the media it is a good idea worthy of study and support.

4. Offer reliable assistant volunteering - fill gaps and niches/take a lead where wanted and amicable.

5. Our email loop is free and has updates and details of future fixtures. Please send to info@brtarail.com

Thanks to all who showed up, for our guest speaker Laura Moodie from the Scottish Greens and day-to-day management is Mr Scott Borthwick based in Scotland.

Photos from the meeting:

Please peruse our dedicated web page: https://brtarail.com/dumfries-to-stranraer/

British Regional Transport Association Redhill Forum: Saturday 30 May 3-5pm

British Regional Transport Association Redhill Forum:

Saturday 30 May 3-5pm

The Sun, 17-21 London Road, Redhill RH1 1LY

01737-766886 https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pub-search/?location=Redhill&lat=51.2404501&lng=-0.1712965

 

Agenda    

1.  Appoint a chairperson for the forum and note taker

2.  Pass round the attendance list

3.  Pass round newsletters with membership forms

4.  Direct curves to Gatwick Airport from both – study needed – how do we take it forward? Tonbridge and Guildford and a flyover between the two lines from Tonbridge and Guildford for passengers and freight.

5.   Thameslink third-rail extension to Guildford for direct East Croydon-Guildford running and Phase 2

6.  to Reading. Who should we contact and can people help gather support expressed in BRTA Membership?

7.  Guildford-Horsham and Horsham-Shoreham: needs members, support, volunteers and route protection and study. 1000 miles starts with a single step. What few actions are needed to take it forward. There are trade-offs to be had – gains and pains.

8.   Redhill train and bus situation? What realistic improvement? Our diagram (distribute it at the forum) would free up paths to/from Redhill and along the Brighton Main Line and Guildford-Horsham via Cranleigh would inform a southern and northern loop based on serving Gatwick from plethora of radial links and service potential.

9.  Any Other Business

10.      Day, Date, Time and Place of next Forum and (the circular orbit Guildford in addition to wider geographical forums).

 

Notes:

1.  Simon not to chair forums, he is the convenor.

2.   Any progress must be a team effort and sanctioned by the Executive Committee (EC).

3.  Forums are targeted on bringing people together and growing public support, not pontificating on our aims.

4.  Realism is relative, a full-blown study would put pay to sceptics, but with local government reform and a lack of money, how do we take it forward, positive recommendations needed as well as more participants.

5.  Campaigns Coordinator contact is Richard Pill ceo@brtarail.com and 07780-313559

6.  Network Rail, Operators, Great British Railways, All Tiers of Councils, Media and other groups need sounding out and bringing on board.

7.  Area Reps for Guildford, Horsham, Cranleigh and Redhill Project need to be found. Likewise, a date and sponsor MP for our meeting in mid-October at Westminster. See David J. Start and Falak Naz for liaison. If nothing fixed by AGM, forget it. Politicians need a minimum of 3-6 months prior notice. Always Spring 2027 though. A marketing person for forums is much needed. Contact colleges, volunteer bureaus and the media for finding people. Please peruse our South-East web page: 

https://brtarail.com/southeast/

We want route protection and spaces for realignment where blockages exist. We want studies to make the case and get it to government for approval as a national asset, not drain on resources. Please email your MP in support: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1