A buisness leader has written to Government ministers urging them to reverse plans to axe a non-stop rail link between Gatwick and London.

Alistair Smith, chief executive of the West Sussex Economic Partnership, was taking part in consultation on the Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS).

The strategy, set out by the Department for Transport (DfT), seeks to reduce overcrowding on the Brighton to London line by axing the Gatwick Express.

While insisting that "fast, frequent" trains between the airport and London would remain, the Government wants them to serve other stations in Sussex too.

The Gatwick Express often runs below 50 per cent capacity, while passengers on other trains from Sussex to London are forced to stand in cramped conditions. But opponents of the RUS say scrapping the Gatwick Express would undermine the region's reputation as a place to do business and also harm the airport.

Vital In a letter to the DfT, Mr Smith said: "Keeping the Gatwick Express is vital for business, the airport and the 2012 Olympics."

He suggests keeping the service but extending it to Three Bridges to help relieve pressure on the line as well as improving access for business travel.

He says: "The Gatwick Diamond is a highly successful business zone, with many major companies based here including an increasingly significant professional service sector.

"A recent research report among major employers highlighted the importance to them of a high-quality fast service to London.

"The success of the Gatwick Diamond is due, to a large extent, to the airport and retaining the Express is seen as a key part of marketing it.

"This will be especially true in 2012 when thousands of visitors to the Olympics will come through Gatwick. A standard train service with limited seating for much of the day would hardly be a good advertisement for Britain."

Other business groups, including the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, have welcomed proposals to scrap the non-stop rail service.

They say overcrowding on the Brighton-London mainline makes Brighton less attractive as a destination for businesses.

Transport Minister Derek Twigg said the move would create up to 1,280 extra seats an hour between Brighton and London at the busiest times of the day - 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.

However, airlines have come out against the proposals.

US company Continental Airline, which operates from Gatwick, is "strongly opposed to any diminution in the offering of the dedicated, nonstop rail service between Gatwick and Central London".

The consultation period ends on December 22.