Council’s Gatwick rail link concern
27.08.08
A council has warned Government ministers that a spending squeeze could leave rail links to Gatwick Airport ‘unfit for purpose’ by the time the London 2012 Olympics start. Concerns have been raised at the prospect that one of the main gateways into Britain will lack a fast and effective rail network by the time the Olympics begin.
West Sussex County Council said a report on future investment shows only £9 million has been earmarked for improvements at Gatwick station instead of the £30 million-plus that has been expected. Tory county council leader Henry Smith has written to Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly to share his concerns at the proposals in the hope they will intervene.
Strong representations have also been made to the Office of Rail Regulation, which has said it will not release funds needed to improve the track, signalling and platforms at the station.
Mr Smith said: ‘Gatwick Airport is going to be a major gateway into this country for the Olympics, second only to Heathrow, and we need a fast, efficient and effective rail network to move people around. It would be a major disappointment if we only get the concourse improvements before 2012.’
‘We need the track, signalling and platform improvements for the long-term future of Gatwick as part of ensuring that its growth from 35.5 million passengers a year to a predicted 40 million by 2015 is as sustainable as possible.'
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