MPS will meet the Transport Secretary today in a bid to renew the prospects of a second train line

Chris Grayling has given campaigners hope of a long-term solution to the county’s rail woes.

He will meet members of the Brighton Main Line 2 campaign group.

Consultant WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff was instructed to explore the viability of the long-mooted Brighton Main Line 2 alongside other options to improve capacity and meet ever growing demand on the route for the next 20 years.

Former chancellor George Osborne commissioned the viability study to add a second London line in April 2015 but the £100,000 report remains unpublished despite Rail Minister Paul Maynard revealing in October it had been completed.

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby, who helped arrange the meeting, said: “I am pleased the Secretary of State has agreed to this meeting. I believe that this project could be a long-term solution to resolving some of the problems on the existing line.”

Mr Kirby said the project aimed to provide improvements for passengers between Brighton and London as well as creating the conditions for regeneration, relieving housing pressure, increasing investment and creating employment from the South Coast to East and South-East London and beyond.