New Brighton Mainline???

[TAF]

We don't need long drawn-out studies, simply action. It is obvious to anyone who travels on the railways that there are so many lines that should never have been closed - Uckfield to Lewes being one, another being the Cuckoo line via Hailsham, yet another being the Tunbridge Wells West link from TWells to Eridge. That's what happens when a nationalised industry (i.e. British Rail(ways)) has to compete with private concerns (i.e. Road Haulage, the road lobby). Now that the Railways have been privatised, to some extent at least, we are seeing some reality.
BML2 is desperately needed. Added to this, Uckfield as a terminus never made any sense. Keep up the pressure.

 

[Antman]

We don't need long drawn-out studies, simply action. It is obvious to anyone who travels on the railways that there are so many lines that should never have been closed - Uckfield to Lewes being one, another being the Cuckoo line via Hailsham, yet another being the Tunbridge Wells West link from TWells to Eridge. That's what happens when a nationalised industry (i.e. British Rail(ways)) has to compete with private concerns (i.e. Road Haulage, the road lobby). Now that Railways have been privatised, to some extent at least, we are seeing some reality.
BML2 is desperately needed. Added to this, Uckfield as a terminus never made any sense. Keep up the pressure.

And of course Uckfield-Lewes would have been a diversionary route right now.

 

[LBSCR Times]

And of course Uckfield-Lewes would have been a diversionary route right now.

Or better still, Haywards Heath to East Grinstead......

 

[quantinghome]

I can't profess any particular knowledge about the bml2 proposal. However, I did read London reconnection's take on it, which was a fairly dispassionate dismantling of the plan.

 

[swt_passenger]

Besides, BML1 and BML2 already exist, as parts of the Bournemouth Main Line. I wish they'd think of a more relevant name...

 

[NotATrainspott]

When the BML properly reaches capacity, after the bottlenecks like East Croydon are sorted out, then the only realistic option will be to build a bypass tunnel from Zone 1 to the M25. That would probably be necessary for Gatwick to be able to act as a second hub (if Heathrow expansion were blocked).

If we're really going into fantasy territory I would design the tunnel so that as well as being able to serve the existing termini, it would be able to run straight into a new tunnel running through London. Once HS2 opens, the MML and ECML fast lines can see a more consistent stopping pattern, and subject to other works it should be possible to increase the number of trains per hour on them to beyond the capacity of the platforms at St Pancras and King's Cross. While longer distance services would still be run by 125-140mph IEP or equivalent running into the mainline termini, the express commuter services which would make up the bulk of fast track services could be run by fixed length commuter trains capable of the same speeds. These would then run into this new north-south tunnel, calling only at Euston-St-Pancras-King's-Cross and once again in the very centre of London, presumably within walking distance of the City such as at Farringdon, before running fast through the new tunnel to Gatwick and beyond. The commuter door layout would mean the stations would be the same design as the Crossrail ones, so one platform per direction would suffice. It would be a Thameslink Express service, encompassing the express service to the airport where most services from the north would terminate.

 

[LBSCR Times]

Besides, BML1 and BML2 already exist, as parts of the Bournemouth Main Line. I wish they'd think of a more relevant name...

WML.... Weymouth Main Line

 

[Bald Rick]

Besides, BML1 and BML2 already exist, as parts of the Bournemouth Main Line. I wish they'd think of a more relevant name...

It needs to start south of Haywards Heath, say Wivelsfield; and finish somewhere between the City and West End with an interchange to Crossrail, Farringdon seems best.

WTF ?

 

[physics34]

Pretty much like Heathrows extra runway.....we are falling behind because we just won't make decisions quick enough.

Just extend the uckfield line NOW, start work immediately. Or at least start double tracking and electrifying it.

The money is there.... Divert a few billion from the overly funded HS2!

 

[swt_passenger]

WML.... Weymouth Main Line

I thought it would be cheaper to leave the ELR's as they are already though. Changing all the bridge plates and structure IDs wouldn't be necessary then...

 

[yorksrob]

Pretty much like Heathrows extra runway.....we are falling behind because we just won't make decisions quick enough.


Just extend the uckfield line NOW, start work immediately. Or at least start double tracking and electrifying it.

The money is there.... Divert a few billion from the overly funded HS2!

I couldn't agree more. Get the local link between Brighton and Tonbridge up and running, then worry about costly London tunnelling.

 

[Class 170101]

It needs to start south of Haywards Heath, say Wivelsfield; and finish somewhere between the City and West End with an interchange to Crossrail, Farringdon seems best.

WTF ?

I wouldn't recommend rebuilding Farringdon again. Like the rest of Crossrail I think this station will be full within months of Crossrail opening.

The question would raise its head why wasn't it built with all this capacity in mind - a lack of foresight.

 

[Cletus]

BML2 back in the news:

http://www.kentlive.news/transport-...ith-brighton/story-30096997-detail/story.html

The reopening of a direct line between Tunbridge Wells and Brighton is just one of the options Transport Secretary Christ Grayling will be discussing today when he meets rail campaigners.

Businesses and commuters fighting for a new line to run alongside Southern's troubled train service want to see new tracks between Brighton and London, with a loop linking up with Tunbridge Wells.

The scheme forms part of a report commissioned by the government to look at the long term viability of a new fast speed service between the south coast and the capital, which could also include upgrading or re-building the Hever to Uckfield line.

The meeting has given re-newed impetus to the upgrade, dubbed Brighton Mainline London 2(BML2).

But campaigners who have been waiting for the publication of the report for more than a year also want to see the re-opening of the Tunbridge Wells line which closed in the 1980s.

The move is being backed by Tunbridge Wells MP, Greg Clerk who has long campaigned for its reinstatement claiming it would slash journey times, benefiting both Kent and Sussex.

But a Department of Transport spokesman would only confirm the study included a number of options which would be published "in due course."

One of them is also said to be using the existing Hever Uckfield line prompting fears local services would play second fiddle to a fast speed link between Brighton and the capital.

Chairman of Edenbridge Rail Travellers Association, Bob Howes said: "Out worry is BML2 could lead to the number of local trains being reduced – is they use the same line from Uckfield – but we do not know whether there are going to be any concerns until the report is published and we have been waiting more than 12 months now," he said.

The report is said to include the option of extending the track from Lewes to Brighton by tunneling under the South Down and then using a high link up to the city which would operate alongside the existing south coast service, currently running via Haywards Heath.

 

[MotorcycleAlan]

Oh how good we are at having reports/consultations/meetings. About as much chance of it happening as a road tunnel at Stonehenge, also been talked about for about as many years.

 

[steamybrian]

I agree with MotorcycleAlan
Since the line closed it has been the same pattern of events..
1.Campaigners lobby their MPS
2.MPs then show their support (particularly prominent when elections approaching)
3.Some while later a consultants report is then published.
4.Silence for a while.. then back to item 1 again.

footnote..
The latest consultants report costing £100,000, paid for out of George Osborne's budget in 2015, was promised to be published in late 2016 but has still not been issued.

 

[Ironside]

I agree with MotorcycleAlan
Since the line closed it has been the same pattern of events..
1.Campaigners lobby their MPS
2.MPs then show their support (particularly prominent when elections approaching)
3.Some while later a consultants report is then published.
4.Silence for a while.. then back to item 1 again.

footnote..
The latest consultants report costing £100,000, paid for out of George Osborne's budget in 2015, was promised to be published in late 2016 but has still not been issued.

Perhaps the government is waiting for HS2 phase 1 to get royal assent first.

 

[swt_passenger]

I agree with MotorcycleAlan
Since the line closed it has been the same pattern of events..
1.Campaigners lobby their MPS
2.MPs then show their support (particularly prominent when elections approaching)
3.Some while later a consultants report is then published.
4.Silence for a while.. then back to item 1 again.

footnote..
The latest consultants report costing £100,000, paid for out of George Osborne's budget in 2015, was promised to be published in late 2016 but has still not been issued.

The London and South Coast Rail Corridor study is out today:
From the summary, we can see that the usual suspects of BML2, and the Arundel Chord, are ruled out as has been generally predicted:

Provided the BML upgrade package is progressed in line with the timeframes Network Rail has indicated, our study indicates that there is no need in capacity terms to start planning for a new line now, or to pursue the full ‘BML2’ scheme that incorporates a link between Croydon, Lewisham, Stratford and beyond. New lines would be costly and, whilst providing benefits, do not serve an existing strategic need. Furthermore, investment in reliability and resilience for the corridor should be focused on BML itself, not diversionary routes via Uckfield or Arundel.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...e/595947/london-south-coast-rail-corridor.pdf

 

[trainmania100]

A second line from Brighton to London has been REJECTED as the government deliver a finishing blow to comuters
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1512...overnment_rejects_second_rail_line_to_London/

COMMUTERS have suffered a fresh setback after a long-awaited government-commissioned study into a new rail line has said there is “no case” to take forward the proposals at the current time.



The Department for Transport has finally published the £100,000 study into the Brighton Main Line 2 today almost two years after it was announced by then Chancellor George Osborne ahead of the last election.



Responding to the report, rail minister Paul Maynard said current plans to invest in the existing Brighton Main Line could cope with demand for the at least the next 30 years even though service had been “particularly compromised” in recent months and levels of on-time performance have been among the lowest nationally for a number of years...

 

[Bald Rick]

'Aborted' is a strong word. That suggests the scheme was actually started. Which it wasn't.

 

[trainmania100]

A lot of work has gone in to the BML2 route study but unfortunately it doesn't look like it will happen for some time!e now.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Bear with me whilst I prepare a quote

That's rather an unusual pet. I hope you are keeping an eye on it as you work on the quote.

 

[trainmania100]

That's rather an unusual pet. I hope you are keeping an eye on it as you work on the quote.

Sorry i am unable to make a quote as my tablet doesn't seem to want to let me copy the text from the source on any of my browser's strangely...
Sorry for the inconvenience

 

[deltic]

Full report can be found here

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/london-and-south-coast-rail-corridor-study

Its been sat on for a long time - its dated April 2016

 

[trainmania100]

Thankyou pax
There is a route study, 64 pages long, showing many proposals for bml conjestionn easement.
Including HGH speed BMl
Very few Including BML2, got taken forward.
Google London south coast corridor study

 

[Blindtraveler]

*rant alert*
get rid of 4 TPH Gat X cluttering up the job and instead have 12 coach Claphom JN, East Croydon, Gatwic and Brighton on the hour and half hour leaving the quarter paths free for when things fall over. I know its not as simple as this but when the railway is this crouded we cant afford the luxury of a premium service like this!

 

[mirodo]

*rant alert*
get rid of 4 TPH Gat X cluttering up the job and instead have 12 coach Claphom JN, East Croydon, Gatwic and Brighton on the hour and half hour leaving the quarter paths free for when things fall over. I know its not as simple as this but when the railway is this crouded we cant afford the luxury of a premium service like this!

But how would they transport the thousands of cubic litres of fresh air if the Gatwick Express didn't exist?

 

[Busaholic]

Nail in the coffin for Gatwick 2nd Runway prospects?

 

[Blindtraveler]

But how would they transport the thousands of cubic litres of fresh air if the Gatwick Express didn't exist?

They'll simply need to install air con at Gatwick and Victoria. GatX was nice whilst it lasted but given the joke of a service its become the time has I think come to chop it.



As to a new runway? I doubt it seeing as part of its benifit was to assist in handling current traffic.

 

[yorksrob]

I hope and trust that the Wealden line campaign will continue to press for the reopening of Uckfield - Lewes.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They shouldn't chop GatEx. What they should do is change the fares such that they are the same as using Southern-branded services, then heavily promote it and get all the airport passengers with their luggage off the regular Southern-branded trains.