Guildford-Horsham rail corridor threat by a canal planning application - object now and support local rail reopenings!

Agenda for Horsham Public Meeting Saturday 26^th March 2pm at the Meeting Hall, Horsham Unitarian Church, Worthing Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1SL

https://horshamunitarianchurch.com/how-to-find-us/ This agenda is approximate.

1. Chairman’s welcome and any health and safety guidance

2. Speaker Mr George Bathurst with questions and answers after 20 minutes (approx.)

3. Second speaker to be announced around Guildford-Horsham rail/trackbed protection

4. Colin Crawford on the Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham rail link and associated threats.

5. Discussion

6. Drinks, sales stall and networking/banter

7 Pack up and exit safely.

For more information on ERTA, please check our website: https://ertarail.co.uk/

For a reader around some of our campaigns, please check our Blogspot: https://ertarailvolunteer.blogspot.com/

We have a free email loop for updates requests to richard.erta@gmail.com

Add your contribution and join the association. We are stronger together!

Re: Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham Rail Link Route Protection and re-rail promotion.

I apologise for a bad copy (received) of a letter from Waverley Council regarding a re-run of a Planning Application for a canal along part of the former railway corridor which already doubles up as a footpath/cycleway. ERTA has long called for and has a view that re-railing the corridor would serve the greater good in terms of alternatives more to road usage, cut congestion, reduce emissions, free up land for other things to meet ever more parking demand and so forth. I have produced a basic template letter and invite people to either do their own, print and send and/or fill in, scan and email or email, whichever you prefer. This is a golden opportunity to call on councils and other agencies to support the rail option, canals, cycle paths and footpaths can go along a widened 'green' corridor and/or be directed elsewhere, railway links between principal towns are not so easy and using former routes make some practical sense and does not necessarily exclude others, but others exclude/make harder re-railing the corridor.

Please also find our diagram, which gives a rough guide to connectivies the rail link offers, freeing up wider on/off road and rail capacity. If you need any more information either contact the Council direct (Waverley Borough) or our lead member who undertook to liaise and represent us on the matter via Mobile 07836 693977 or email him via colin.crawford@btconnect.com It is not very often we have a chance for a second bite at the proverbial 'cherry' but this is a window of opportunity for the rail link. Our events page shows we have a public meeting scheduled for 26th March and all are welcome to compare notes. https://ertarail.co.uk/events/ Please give us your support, however remote you may feel - it is our nationwide interest, reach and range which makes ERTA significant to mobilise for more and better rail and select other public transport matters. We welcome people to join if not already and add their weight. It is amazing what people-power can achieve sometimes, despite the odds. So there can be a hope for the rail option if enough support can be found. Thanks very much. For relevant docs, please contact me via richard.erta@gmail.com and also see Waverley contact page: https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Council-information/About-Waverley-Borough-Council/Contact-us

Closing date I believe is 21-02-2022 - there is time is we can act 'now' please and together can make an impact. Act now please.

Waverley Council contact to object to Canal Threat to Rail Corridor is e. kate.edwards@waverley.gov.uk 

Reference: WA/2020/0004

Below is original letter for perusal and if inclined, support the railway as other options for the canal do exist. Meanwhile, a timely reminder if we do not re-rail Britain: https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/70604/-pause-english-roads-programme-too-says-goodwin

Email from Surrey County Council says: "From reading the documents you kindly sent me, I believe that you are seeking to make a case to object to the diversion of the Wey and Arun Canal on the premise that it will prohibit the potential reopening of the former railway line between Guildford and Cranleigh, and potentially onward to Horsham and Shoreham. I am afraid that the reopening of the railway is not supported by the County Council, which means I cannot support your case. As I am sure you will be aware, the original Guildford to Horsham via Cranleigh line was opened in 1865 by London Brighton and South Coast Railway. It was a single-track railway with passing loops. The line was never very profitable and the 1963 ‘Reshaping of British Railways’ report (Dr Beaching’s report) indicated a flow of under 5,000 passengers per week. As a result, the Guildford to Cranleigh line was closed in 1965. In pre-Covid, the A281 suffered with peak time traffic congestion and all the problems that brings; pollution, frustration and delay to commuters, negative impacts on businesses, etc. The County Council and the rail industry have looked in detail to see if it is viable to reinstate the former line between Cranleigh and Guildford. Work has shown that an engineering solution is feasible, although it would come with some environmental impacts as construction would affect many walkers, dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Locally it may not be supported by all, or indeed a majority. In the mid and late 1990s, the Council commissioned work looking at rail improvements in the County, including detailed work on a few specific projects, which included the Guildford to Cranleigh line. The economic analysis suggested that the reopening of the line would not be feasible. The first-year income was estimated at only 3% of the capital cost, even without taking into account operating costs. Research also showed that only 12% of trips made from the area were to Guildford or London, with 60% of the trips made to other parts of Surrey, many of which would not be accessed by reopening the line. More recently, our 2013 and Surrey Rail Strategy notes that reinstatement of the Guildford-Cranleigh line... “was rejected because of the lack of a viable business case. Previous detailed feasibility studies into the scheme carried out for Surrey County Council concluded that patronage would be insufficient to justify the significant cost of rail line re-opening. There is no evidence to suggest that the fundamental drivers of demand have changed substantially since these studies were carried out in the 1990s. The County Council therefore decided to undertake no further work on this proposal. However, it supports the retention of the track bed of the old railway as part of the “Downs Link” transport corridor for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Substantial improvements to the quality of the Downs Link have been made and this has resulted in considerably increased use of this very popular local facility. The new Rail Strategy for Surrey published in 2020 does not support the reinstatement of the railway for these same reasons. Critically therefore, detailed studies have shown that a reinstated railway would never cover its operating costs, let alone repay the capital cost of construction, even with the new homes coming into the area. A further problem is that (pre-Covid) Guildford Station is at capacity, so there would be nowhere for a new rail service to go. Even if Guildford Station could accommodate an extra train service from Cranleigh, it would be for an interchange only, given there are no train paths available for onward to travel to London. We have previously looked at guided bus and trams as a solution using the former track bed. Whilst less costly in terms of infrastructure costs, the local impacts are similar and, again, there is no business case to deliver them in terms of potential patronage. This is compounded by the need for these alternatives to fight for road space on the approach to Guildford. I strongly support the former railway line being used as a transport link for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. However, whilst reinstating the railway is an interesting idea in principle, significant work has shown that it is simply not feasible, and it is not supported by the County Council." My response is: Para 1. He doesn't support the rail link and likewise the county council at Surrey. Local elections in May, could change their complexity Para 2. History can inform lessons, but we are not bound by history per se. What of now and the future short-medium term? Long term is a luxury we cannot presume with Climate Emergency. Para 3. If the corridor cannot be widened for a railway, fence and a pathway/cycle way, how much less a canal? You have said other options are available? The 'majority' are not always right, even if votes in it. However, this local railway could be part of a wider net-work and larger dynamic appeal e.g. Reading-Brighton 'not via cluttered London', save on changing and much more. Para 4. Again wider rail network and regional scales of traffic, not just parochial. The through route to Horsham, rather than a branch to Cranleigh - was that looked at in scoping terms? If not why not look at it now before throwing it away forever, locking in a growth of road usage with implications? Para 5. A widened 'green corridor' could encompass walking/cycling fenced off. The railway does not have to use every inch of the old route, some realignment, deviation or new stretches witha dditions like a link to the Horsham-Shoreham line direct and also the Arundel/Chichester line. Para 6. Deadlock but puts all growth on the local and regional roads. That is detrimental and corrosive. Para 7. Guildford capacity - we raised in Zoom meetings but was played down by some locals. By depositing and going elsewhere clearing the tracks, it lets other people in and enables more. If capacity has and remains an issue, constraints means growth of existing services require more platform capacity, why has this not been planned for re: town centre/bus station redevelopments etc? Para 8. Guided Busway is no panacea or cheaper than conventional local rail. Examples of Cambridgeshire and elsewhere bear this out: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridgeshire_Guided_Busway ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridgeshire_Guided_Busway) If no business case and preference is for walking, cycling and canal over 'this' route specifically, why both looking at Guided Busway? No good for freight movement, taking lorries off local roads. Para 9. Business Cases are expensive and beyond what a voluntary group such as ERTA can do. If you want to know more, please email richard.erta@gmail.com and help us defend keeping and supporting the rail alternative to a roads only future.coalitions to share costs and seeking optimum rail potential including reviving other lines like North Downs, this seems remiss. Is cost an issue making a negative reaction easier behind the excuses? These are my views, hope of interest. We need ambassadors to take up this and other similar rail causes and challenges. It only defaults to more on the roads if we do not!

17 March 2022

Press Release

Notice is given of Horsham Public Meeting – All Welcome – on Saturday 26^th March 2pm-4pm 2022. It is with Guest Speaker Mr George Bathurst, on the Windsor Rail Link and possible others.in the Meeting Hall, Horsham Unitarian Church, Worthing Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1SL https://horshamunitarianchurch.com/how-to-find-us/ To discuss the rebuilding of a Horsham – Shoreham and Guildford rail links and associated matters. All enquiries and offers of help like pre-event leafleting please contact Richard Pill richard.erta@gmail.com See https://ertarail.co.uk/events/ for details/other events too.

Route/corridor protection is crucial to keep Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham rail options alive. Other uses like walking, cycling, canals must go either alongside a widened corridor or elsewhere respectively.

We feel some councils have under-estimated the potential the re-railing offers in local and regional modal choices and shift back to rail. Links with Guildford, Reading

and Heathrow - Horsham, Shoreham and Brighton and vice versa would commend themselves and carry people and goods off the roads and provide more capacity

on the heavily used Brighton Main Line. In short it is a win, win and should be studied further with calling on Government support very much in mind.

End Press Release

Further comment: Any comment is welcome to entertain via Richard Pill 01234 330090 or Colin Crawford

(Mobile 07836-693977).

Addendum: The Canal project which threatened to block the railway corridor has been thrown out, but may be subject to an appeal. We welcome people to write to respective local councils, MP's and the Department of Transport to support re-railing the corridor and slewing cycle/walkways alongside with suitable fencing and sound barriers. It can be done and for example, direct Reading-Brighton 'not via London' would be a huge benefit for end to end as well as intermediate public transport choices and getting vehicles off the roads whilst relief to the capacity Brighton Main Line to boot! Join us and help us win this battle please. Enquiries via richard.erta@gmail.com and visit our Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Brighton2Guildford

Notes of ERTA Guildford and South East Area Meeting Saturday May 8th 2021 starting 14.00 hrs Host: Mr Iain Sear iainsear22@hotmail.com

 Notes of ERTA Guildford and South East Area Meeting

Saturday May 8^th 2021 starting 14.00 hrs

Host: Mr Iain Sear iainsear22@hotmail.com

Present: Nick Houston, Rob Cooke, Iain Sears, Colin, East Sussex County Councillor, Richard Pill and Margaret Darvill.

1. Apologies for absence: None

2. Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham Rail Reopening/Rebuild: There was discussion with one person saying they may try to widen the corridor to accommodate a railway, a cycleway-cum-footpath and a canal. This was debated a bit, but if can be done, better than no railway accommodation.

a. Wey and Arun Canal Threat Updates: One source said still at planning level, awaiting Environmental Agency approval. Richard explained Simon who was working on the matter was taken ill with a stroke and is therefore out action. ERTA can aim to facilitate Zoom and other gatherings in due course and will aim to notify people of them. We need people to commit to keeping in touch with us also.

b. Getting Councils on board with MP’s: Chicken and egg, which comes first, although bids for the Railway Reopening Fund required MP leadership from the constituency upwards. Richard said we had contacted councils and MPs along the line but mixed responses.

c.  Physical Meetings at Guildford, Horsham and Redhill starts June (dates to be confirmed): David Ferguson was the main contact to keep in touch with.

3. Heathrow Rail Link Progress: Richard reported that some coverage was in Rail Magazine that Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps had signalled some support and keeping the door open on it. The result could be a direct Guildford-Heathrow service possibly running onto Old Oak Common Interchange and maybe a new link/tunnel to the Chiltern Main Line for an Aylesbury-Guildford rail arc. How short sighted then not to want rail links south of Guildford to places like Horsham and Shoreham with through running to Gatwick from the south via Horsham and Crawley via Three Bridges for example and also Shoreham for Brighton and vice versa? It was also noted this could alleviate capacity issues at Guildford with trains dropping off/picking up and going onto somewhere rather than sitting on the platforms. The idea of an Arundel Curve was also raised, enabling more for less-than 500 meters and again the avoiding line reinstatement at Eastbourne would only be about 1 mile of track. Fields exist, but height clearances of the main north-south road out of Eastbourne was a concern potentially (see item 4).

4. Brighton-Ashford: Discussion was had on the pros and cons of a direct Polegate-Stone Cross reinstated direct avoiding line to Eastbourne to enable faster Brighton-Ashford services via Hastings and vice versa without recourse to Eastbourne every time. A mix could be looked at and more Capital-Gatwick-Eastbourne direct services lotted in as well. Realignment of the avoiding line would be needed to avoid new development. It may be too late as new development Stone Cross side is envisaged and a new station on existing lines locking in the Eastbourne reversing model. Cllr Colin of East Sussex County Council offered to raise the subject at a future meeting. This was welcome news.

5.  Electrification agendas in the South East pros and cons: The debate on the North Downs lines is whether to electrify and which sort, Overhead or Third Rail and why? Hydrogen powered trains remain an option as well. Electrification could enable Thameslink’s to run to Guildford via Redhill direct as they do from Three Bridges to Horsham.

6. Any Other Business: Richard to email Wealden District Council about it in due course.

7. Day, Date, Time and Place of next Zoom Meeting: July 5^th 14.00 hosted by Mr Iain Sear to whom we thank for his help.

Meeting finished 14.43pm.

ERTA Guildford and South East Zoom Meeting

ERTA Guildford and South East Zoom Meeting

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Elected Representatives,

I attach details of our forthcoming Zoom Meeting 8th May 14.00 hours. All Welcome/Open to all. To register please contact Mr Iain Sear and for copies of pdf agendas attached to send to others, request via me please richard.erta@gmail.com.

Our effort depends on available human and other resources being available. As lock down is lifted, we hope to resume some physical meetings alongside.

The Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham rail corridor should be seen as a strategic corridor and investment to study the case, protect from development blight and keep the option open for what it could offer regionally and locally should be a top priority of every agency, council tier and MP's and we court the public also to that end. 

Relief to the Brighton Main Line, new travel journey opportunities and here we have calls for a Heathrow rail link from Woking, but not an equivalent the other direction south of Guildford to Cranleigh, Horsham and Shoreham for Brighton and these audiences vice versa to Guildford, Heathrow and Reading. Whatever the entrenched views on Guildford and capacity, calling at and going onto somewhere clears platforms for the next arrival and so forth, should make some common sense and thus more destinations to and from should be seen as expedient.

In the recovery, footfall and spend will be a contribution better public transport can make. ERTA is flagging up an opportunity, if it is blocked, recovery will be much harder, therefore, please write in support of the railway to your local MP's. Local Councils are best placed to do audits and lists. Work with us, please do take a lead. The future of green, sustainable public transport is in the balance. Let's work to keep options open. Agenda attached. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Pill

ERTA Chairman.

Help us save the trackbed for reopening and re-railing the Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham rail link

See this news story and support the railway please: https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/people/transport-battle-looms-between-horsham-area-rail-and-canal-enthusiasts-2906317?fbclid=IwAR1sJZ0AVlVR2VXgMIrDceIs7NEVnEvrXueXkCd4kW4ALoo48h-MCTqARdw

The link you require for the present objection to the Wey & Arun Canal is as follows:https://weyarun.org.uk/content/briefing-sheet-faqs

As I expect you know, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust had already submitted its planning application to Waverley Borough Council and the deadline for any objections/comments. Please object by 11th July.

Meanwhile I provide the following details from that Council in regard to this planning application:

Waverley Borough Council,
The Burys,
Godalming,
Surrey,
GU7 1HR
Phone: 01483-523333
Email: consultation.planning@waverley.gov.uk

Reference No. - WA/2020/0004

Case Officer - Kate Edwards

We discern that the Brighton Main Line is reaching capacity in terms of usage and number of trains and it doesn't take much of a hitch to throw the services and overcrowding into chaos in normal times. At the same time, for good environmental reasons, there is a dire need to encourage people and goods more by rail as roads too are congested and heap up traffic to urban areas which have not the capacity to cope or land use availability to provide ever more urban sites for parking when demands for housing and employment abound also. 

We believe that rebuilding the rail link from Guildford-Cranleigh-Horsham-Shoreham would be beneficial and serve an end to end direct by rail travel demand which as current is largely unmet and enable a sustainable flow of people and spend to urban areas minus the traffic. Growth of development is a fact of life one way or another and the landscape changes over the years. 

Cycleways are flexible, you can divert them and design-in benefits in so doing and at one and the same time, where space allows, you can pit them on a wider trackbed based alongside a railway with suitable fencing. It need not be more of one against another, but a reasonable willingness to compromise may be better.

I attach a pamphlet and our latest newsletter for your kind perusal. The railway would give more options and flexibility and enable more land conservation than less. Otherwise it is a string of bypasses and eventual joining up to trunk or motorway standards. London - Brighton Mark 2 is welcome by us (Tonbridge-Brighton via Uckfield) but that only deals with the eastern flank of the Brighton Main Line and associated roads. The Guildford-Shoreham line, integrated with Horsham would enable Reading to Gatwick from the south via Horsham and Crawley. Likewise, the Arundel curve would enable Crawley/Horsham trains to go onto Brighton via the south coast direct, saving the issues around Three Bridges and changing. Keeping trains moving, clears platforms for other trains to access, enabling more.

We need more capacity on and off the rails. Please give us you support. The government has a Rail Reopenings Fund which enables councils via their MP's to bid for funds to study proposals. We ask your help to put pressure on adjoining councils to ensure a. the old route and connection lands are protected from obstruction. Deviations are needed at Cranleigh already. b. to round table supportive councils, agencies and MP's and get them to bid for funding and commission a study which could look at demand, engineering and wider benefits. West Sussex may think it a ANOB rural landscape, but people wanting to get through it to and from the South Coast will increasingly drive in the absence of a rail link as they do now and again, we are not against the cycle way but want a flexible reinterpretation to enable a shared corridor with the railway.

Once the rail link is in the running, planning can then adapt to the new opportunities. More of the same without better rail links seems unsustainable to us. You are not alone, many areas are waking up to the fact the closures of the 1960's went too far, isolated communities and hindered joined-up travel. We want to save people having to go into and out of London every time at cost and timne duration, changing and inconvenience. Guildford-Cranleigh-Horsham-Shoreham gives more direct travel options including Heathrow via Guildford and hopefully these kinds of things can lure more out of cars, cut congestion, reduce exhaust emissions and keep the country moving at one and the same time. This is not revolutionary, rather it is simple choice and people will tend to use what is available. 

In normal times, we table meetings and forums around the areas and my colleague Mr Simon Barber can be contacted for inclusion in details of future opportunities as and when and where lock-down permits. If you want to get emailed our pdf pamphlet please send requests to richard.erta@gmail.com or see our publicity page on our website. This is the time for action! Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Pill

ERTA Chairman

https://www.ertarail.com/publicity-page  

Please object to this canal intrusion to the railway route: https://weyarun.org.uk/content/briefing-sheet-faqs

We are not against waterways per se, but in this case, reopening the railway would be far greener, as it will cater for hundreds of people every day getting from a to b in semi fast timings for work, visiting and general by rail travel use. By all means contact us if you have any wish to discuss further. richard.erta@gmail.com Join our free email loop.

This consultation apparently closes on Saturday,11 July 2020

Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham Rail Reopening Group ~ Part of ERTA

Horsham Public Meeting – 
Reopen the Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham Railway for local benefit.

The meeting is open to all and is to be known as 
‘Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham Rail Re-opening Group’ 
Please give support and help build the consensus for the rebuild of the local, conventional rail link to serve and link communities together for the benefit of all, cutting congestion, freeing up parking spaces, bringing footfall and spend to areas.

Day/Date: Saturday 7^th September, 

Time: 2pm-4pm

Place: Horsham Unitarian Church, Worthing Rd, Horsham RH12 1S

(adjacent to local bus station with regular buses with the local railway station)

Purpose:

Ø    To bring people together

Ø    To grow support and recruit members to ERTA for wider good

Ø    To allocate roles and responsibility for covering the various facets the project presents

Ø    To appoint volunteers as helpers to act as local coordinators to ensure the smooth, principled and consistent goals are adhered to.

A mini outline report may be produced in due course as a sales/introductory tool. Clearly any volunteers or contributors welcome to entertain.

https://ertarail.com/events/ or T. 0208 940 4399

On Saturday 22nd June 2019 some 12 people came together at the local Wetherspoons in Horsham to discuss the prospect of rebuilding a Guildford-Horsham-Shoreham Rail Link. Whilst many have varying views and ideas of preference, the ERTA line is and must be to plum for a conventional railway rebuild with deviations where blockages exist such as Cranleigh for example. The process requires on the one hand a dedicated trackbed watch and orchestration to protect the route with access at both ends to existing lines and lands to ensure deviation where blockages may exist are kept clear. The rail link could offer the following (by no means exhaustive list!): Ø    A quick and handy local connection between two large and developing towns and intermediate expanding populations. Ø    Local commuting for work, school, shopping and wide travel by rail Ø    It would relieve the Brighton main line and free up capacity/reduce overcrowding.

Ø    A fast, flexible choice to car reliance and contributor to free up parking spaces for others, reduce congestion and associated air pollution Ø    Horsham – Shoreham ‘South Downs’ Link giving direct access from points north, east and west of Guildford to Brighton et al and vice versa Ø    Access between Reading/Guildford and Horsham/Crawley and approach Gatwick from the south Ø    Access for the Horsham and connections lines to Guildford and Heathrow for example, with or without an extra runway! Our basic aims are: Ø    Build local support and consensus that the rebuild is a good thing and grow support for it to be done sooner than later. Ø    Appoint Local Area Reps. To cover both the Guildford and Horsham ends of the line and interim (ideally someone for Cranleigh or group) who attend the various Forums and meetings and liaise with ERTA core team. Ø    Get local MP’s and Councils on board to form consortia and pool resources/apply with other agencies for study funds to tick all required boxes!

Media Coverage for Guildford-Horsham Rebuild

ERTA gets media coverage and well deserved. We want to get our message across and encourage and nurture local support upwards. 

Ultimately we need people to:

1. Write to their local MP's c/o House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA and request a rolling programme of local, conventional line reopenings and rebuilds like Guildford-Horsham and for that programme to be normalised: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

2. Join ERTA - a growing membership shows we represent a body of opinion and gives us more clout where it counts: https://ertarail.com/membership/

3. Contact our coordinator and come to the forums and get involve positively: T. 0208 940 4399, E. simon4barber@gmail.com

Please help us help you. The reopening would enable so much more options for people and communities and underrscore public transport fit for the 21st Century.

https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/people/campaign-to-reopen-defunct-horsham-to-guildford-rail-line-1-8947668?fbclid=IwAR0a6K36c5PRsg56317_q_AwAmo2dKZ5Yf2tTMHFJKQYMz-zHERi_LyJvm8

Guildford-Horsham et al

Follow this link: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/guildford-horsham-railway-line-reopen-13970405

Join us as a member of ERTA to cement support and action: https://ertarail.com/membership/

Everyone can contribute something.

Join us on Twitter also: https://twitter.com/L2Bnewraillink

Support a new Leicester-Brighton link via Heathrow

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/153355755256764/

Using a part of the old Great Central line and a rebuilding of the Guildford -Horsham-Shoreham line, the only other missing bits are Woking-Heathrow and Heathrow-Old Oak Common and Grendon-Calvert. Can it be done? 125 mph running, usable for passenger and freight, inter-link with East-West Rail in the Calvert area and with limited stops means that end to end timings would be quicker for fast services with plenty of capacity for stopping and cross-country utilisation of same tracks.
Join ERTA and help swell our growing team: https://ertarail.com/membership/