Let's have it for Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham-Brighton reopening railway please!

Dear Councillors and MP's,

The long established trend of commuting into and out of Central London and the issues of over-crowding, price managing supply and demand and the lifestyle patterns it creates in daily drive-time and parking/accessing rail means in a context of growth we need more capacity at every stage. The downside of the equation is that the London commute for a 100 mile radius of the M25 tends to dominate most other considerations and beshadow non London centric aspirations, informing more choice and diversity. 

The English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) is a small voluntary association seeking the progressive and systematic re-railing of the English Regions - Celtic fringes like Scotland are forging ahead with reopening the Borders line and Wales with the West Wales lines, but the English Regions have been lagging behind in delivery terms. Where are the queues of entrepreneurs and railway building companies to gag for reconstruction? Private or Public or combinations these elements need a glue to bring them together and focus them on tangible results - delivery being a key plank surely?

The current proposal of a direct conventional rail link into Heathrow is a laudable aim, giving direct rail access from the Guildford-Woking lines into Heathrow with obvious public transport off road benefits and freeing up parking for other users. https://heathrowrail.com/ However this rail link should serve a sub-surface station under Heathrow with through tracks to link with Old Oak Common (OOC) and the Chiltern Main Line informing an arc. This would allow Guildford-Heathrow-Milton Keynes direct rail services and all inbetween with the new EastWestRail initiative http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/ The Brighton Main Line is overcrowded and only reguaging with Dutch proven technology style double decker trains https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Dutch+double-decker+trains&safe=active&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiPvfrDxITZAhXLAsAKHW29DecQsAQIJw&biw=1600&bih=1116 can solve the volume-capacity demand, pricing people off the rails is not acceptable and Lewes-Uckfield has had 30 years, has not been delivered and whilst we hold on in hope, there is a view that the Western flank namely Guildford-Brighton via Horsham and Shoreham has a lot to offer including a Park and Ride Station with the A24 for example.

Likewise, we support the new build of the Guildford-Cranleigh-Horsham line which would enable direct trains to link round to Gatwick from the South. A deviation would be required at Cranleigh, but better that than a road bypass! Likewise from Christ's Hospital to Shoreham informing a joined up Guildford-Brighton direct railway which could relieve the Brighton Main Line, offer more journey by rail opportunities and declutter urban areas, rural roads and free up parking capacity through more choice and options. As attached map indicates, Oxford and Heathrow-Brighton via Guildford would draw in significant footfall and spend minus the volumes of traffic places without rail choices suffer beit daily movements or seasonal booms and slumps. 

We are hoping to have a Forum and welcome any support to advocate these ideas, invest in studies and case making and advance them with potential interests once the business case is made and it seems full of potential if only delivery vehicles can be forthcoming/sourced and found to be partners with a commitment from consortia orchestrated by Local Government and LEPs and such agencies as may wish to be involved please.

REOPENINGS FORUM – SATURDAY 26 MAY, 1.00pm food and social, 2.00-4.00pm business,The Lynd Cross Weatherspoons,St John’s House,1 Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2PG, 01403 272393. If you would like to receive a delegated meeting to discuss working together further please contact my colleagues Messrs Simon Barber and David Ferguson who I am sure will gladly work with any pro-affirma interest in advancing these ideas and getting others on board. Mr Simon Barber: T. 0208 940 4399, E. simon4barber@gmail.com Mr David Ferguson: T. 020 8977 4181 E. daferguson1212@gmail.com

Yours sincerely,

Richard Pill

ERTA Campaigns Coordinator
Note too: RHS Wiseley will and does attract huge visitors and is close to the Woking line - so capturing market share for rail makes environmental sense, ditto a joined up through track from Woking-Heathrow - Old Oak Common and the Chiltern Main Line - not just chaging and using Crossrail which is London centric. We must foster diversity and choice options more: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

Local News Article worthy of a perusal - Re-Railing Mr Grayling please! https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/guildford-horsham-railway-line-reopen-13970405