Business leaders have written to the Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling in support of plans to extend the Gatwick Express rail service to Brighton.
Earlier this week, Sussex Enterprise, airport operator BAA and Sussex and Surrey business association CADIA spoke out against the proposals, which would replace the 15-minute non-stop service between Gatwick and London with additional stopping services which would extend to Brighton.
They said it would be a disaster for one of the largest international airports in the world to lose its dedicated rail link, safety would be compromised and trains would be terribly overcrowded.
But Brighton and Hove Business Forum has told Mr Darling it is in favour of the plans because they would increase the number of trains travelling between London and Brighton.
Lobbying for the extension of the service together with improved east to west rail links is included in the forum's economic strategy for Brighton and Hove.
The alternative service would be integrated into the Southern Train network and would stop at East Croydon and possibly Clapham Junction.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
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