AN UNDERGROUND train servicing the coast should be bored through cliffs, a former councillor has suggested.

Hove resident John Kapp, 84, has urged transport chiefs to consider a “Brighton Crossrail” running under the city from Shoreham to Newhaven.

Powered by the Rampion windfarm, the subway would allow commuters to travel from port to port in 20 minutes.

“London has a Crossrail and we’re London-on-Sea, so why shouldn’t we have one?” the former Conservative councillor reasoned.

“My idea is just to finish off what the Victorians started in the 19th century.

“Think how impoverished Brighton would be if we never had a railway.”

Mr Kapp’s subway would start in Shoreham, stopping at Hove Lagoon, the King Alfred leisure centre, the i360, and Brighton Palace Pier.

It would then continue to Kemp Town, Roedean, Ovingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven, and Newhaven.

The former councillor said a Brighton Crossrail would spread economic benefits across the coast.

“The line from Brighton to stations at London Road, Moulsecoomb and Falmer have been developed with two universities and a football stadium,” Mr Kapp said.

“The A259 coast road through Roedean, Ovingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs, and Peacehaven are dormitory backwaters of ‘bungaloid’ development.

“Although there is much empty land available, no development is possible there because the only access is by roads which have

been choked at peak times for decades.”

Mr Kapp estimated the project would cost £3 billion but insisted it could be affordable.

“If the Government wants to build something they just print the money for it, you don’t need to make a profit,” he said.

“If we don’t ask we won’t get.

“Yes, these rail infrastructure projects are very expensive.

“But our network was built more than 150 years ago, so their life is measured in centuries and the benefit accrued to future generations is immense.”

And with the Government recently approving the HS2 high-speed rail project, Mr Kapp hopes he can get Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s backing.

“I’m a big fan of Boris Johnson and his support of HS2,” he said.

“I’m glad the Government wants to reverse all of the station closures made in the Sixties.

“Let’s finish what the Victorians started.”