THE GOVERNMENT is “pulling the wool” over commuters’ eyes about the seriousness of its intent in exploring options for a second rail line into London, an MP has claimed.

Hove MP Peter Kyle has accused Chancellor George Osborne of misleading rail passengers in his summer budget by alluding to previous feasibility reports on Brighton Main Line 2, which have not been carried out.

Campaigners had hailed the July announcement as a significant step forward for the BML2 project.

Department for Transport officials said the Chancellor was referring to a report on the Lewes to Uckfield line which has fed into the BML2 project.

July’s budget confirmed that the Government will extend the scope of the Lewes-Uckfield study to look at improving rail links between London and the south coast, including upgrades to existing routes, consideration of the Brighton Main Line corridor and re-examination of the DfT’s feasibility study on BML2.

However the report referred to in the budget was a 2008 study into Lewes to Uckfield, a shorter and less ambitious route.

The report was carried out before the BML2 campaign group was launched and concluded that reinstating the line was “feasible” but the likely demand “low”.

Mr Kyle, a Labour MP, said he sought clarification from both rail minister Claire Perry and leader of the House of Commons Chris Grayling but failed to get further clarification.

July’s budget announcement followed a previous pre-election pledge by the Chancellor to invest £100,000 into studies into an additional Sussex line.

The Department of Transport and Network Rail both indicated to The Argus in June however that the projects were not a priority and could slow down journey times to and from Brighton.

Mr Kyle MP said: “We have picked holes in George Osborne’s pledge to support BML2.

“It is a real shame when somebody as senior as George Osborne makes a promise to the people and then when you start to pick it apart, you see that it doesn’t stack up.

“That is everything I hate about some people’s approach to politics.

“I know as a commuter how horrible it is when you are stuck on a railway platform when you want to get home to be with the one you love.”

A DfT spokesman said: “We know the importance of good rail links in providing better journeys and securing long-term economic growth.

“That is why we have committed to finding a solution to the capacity issues between Brighton and London.

“No decisions will be made without taking into account the views of local people, and more details on the feasibility study will be available in due course.”