THE Transport Secretary has met campaigners to consider the possibility of a second rail link between Brighton and London.

Chris Grayling met MPs and representatives from London and Southern Counties Railways (LSCR), the private sector consortium seeking to bring the Brighton Mainline 2 campaign to fruition.

The BML2 project was launched following the closure of the Wealden line in 1986 with the hope of re-opening the seven-mile link from Lewes to Uckfield.

It has gained further momentum in the wake of overcrowding and ongoing difficulties for commuters on the Brighton mainline.

A spokesman for the LSCR consortium said: “The BML2 project group has done an excellent job in making the case for extra capacity on the Brighton mainline route.

“A new privately funded line would create additional connections for towns across the southern counties and benefit millions of commuters on one of the UK’s most overcrowded rail routes.

“These were initial discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling who was keen to learn more about the project. While the project is still at a relatively early stage, we are encouraged by the interest shown by the Secretary of State and look forward to further positive engagement with Department for Transport officials in the coming months.”

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby, who arranged the meeting, said it was a step in the right direction.