[Sussex] Brighton Main Line 2 to be built?

[A1X]

Oh weell, that's curtains fr the Lavendar Line and the Spa Valley Railway then! I'd have thught the obvious route morth of Eridge would be via Oxted (which needs electrificaton anyway), but hey, if they want to go to London via Tonbridge and Orpington, so be it. Good luck with re-opening the Tunbridge Wells West to TW Central single line tunnel to 90 mph trains!

Running the line down the fruit and veg aisle at Sainsbury’s in Tunbridge Wells will make picking up some bananas a real challenge.

 

[GT49er]

Have a look at the Wealden Line Campaign page
plenty of info to be found on there

Oh I know, there are debates and debates and more debates about these lines all over the place. I just remember them from happy childhood days. Polegate to Victoria in a steam train was a huge treat for a young train fan (and his dad), joining up (literally) with the train from Brighton at Eridge (which my grandad would have travelled on to meet up with us). So much to lean out of the window to watch!
It did take three hours though - I don't think my mum was that impressed comparing it to a fast electric service up the main line!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is beginning to sound like a Johnson announcement now.

It never ceases to amaze me where you can't go by train in the SE. When I was in Leeds it felt as if you go anywhere in the UK from there, save the SE. Compare and contrast with Royal Tunbridge Wells - Hastings or London. Amazing.

one way?

 

[GT49er]

Running the line down the fruit and veg aisle at Sainsbury’s in Tunbridge Wells will make picking up some bananas a real challenge.

So would reopening the tunnel through Morrison's at Polegate!

 

[Motogull]

Running the line down the fruit and veg aisle at Sainsbury’s in Tunbridge Wells will make picking up some bananas a real challenge.

Well, an alternative might be to create a new branch off further down the existing line and bypass Jarvis Bronx to join the line to Uckfield further down. Either way, its gonna cost a few Diblies.

 

[A1X]

Still goes through the East Croydump bottleneck

Then I’m afraid there’s nothing for it, we’ll just have to demolish Croydon.

 

[beorhthelm]

Running the line down the fruit and veg aisle at Sainsbury’s in Tunbridge Wells will make picking up some bananas a real challenge.

similar scenes in Lewes if ever to stop there and link to Brighton. who knew the lose of railways would mean so much for advances in food retail?

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Yes I read that and thought about time too! I was thinking my next investment might be in Uckfield as property will definitely increase in value there as the train line expands, trouble is its a bit of a dump so will keep an eye on things but might be worth a punt.

That’s a different level of punt than I’m used to, £10 on the lotto on Saturday.
but as my old man says, ain’t nowt different to idiot tax

 

[jackalbion]

This probably wouldn’t help any capacity on the BML. I don’t think this will get off the ground. Need to improve the infrastructure on the Three Bridges to Brighton section, and Windmill Bridge junction. In terms of matchday service that would need a signalling upgrade to improve, and the government and DfT handing out some new stock.

 

[maresfield seagull]

Then I’m afraid there’s nothing for it, we’ll just have to demolish Croydon.

Would make sense
Despite all those new towers built near the tracks
The locals did try arson a few years ago
But LFB we’re far to diligent in response

 

[Audax]

If the only thing that comes out of this is restoring the existing Uckfield line to dual track and electrifying, I'll be happy. With the amount of housing development taking place around Uckfield the diesel single track won't be enough within the next 5 to 10 years.

 

[halbpro]

I doubt this actually gets anywhere, but the fact it’s even mentioned in a plan is the furthest the proposal has ever got.

As for upgrading the existing line, they’ve closed it several times for week long periods and it doesn’t seem to really get much better. And I don’t know how much you can do to increase capacity with extra tracks due to the number of tunnels

 

[Chicken Run]

I doubt this actually gets anywhere, but the fact it’s even mentioned in a plan is the furthest the proposal has ever got.

As for upgrading the existing line, they’ve closed it several times for week long periods and it doesn’t seem to really get much better. And I don’t know how much you can do to increase capacity with extra tracks due to the number of tunnels

Not forgetting a f*** off viaduct at Balcombe which I think might be listed?

Edit- It is listed!

 

[Norman Potting]

And this is before we even get to the platform capacity at Brighton meaning fewer trains to the likes of Gatwick and Croydon from there, with knock on impacts on overcrowding on services from Horsham / Worthing.

It’s essentially entirely the wrong answer to a decent question.

This seems to raise its head every few years and, whilst a sensible idea, I will believe it is when I see a pig flying over the Amex

 

[GT49er]

Not forgetting a f*** off viaduct at Balcombe which I think might be listed?

Edit- It is listed!

View attachment 158767

.....................and so it bloody well should be! Glorious!

 

[beorhthelm]

I doubt this actually gets anywhere, but the fact it’s even mentioned in a plan is the furthest the proposal has ever got.

As for upgrading the existing line, they’ve closed it several times for week long periods and it doesn’t seem to really get much better. And I don’t know how much you can do to increase capacity with extra tracks due to the number of tunnels

there's plenty of capacity for 80% of the time. twice a day we want more. longer trains and signalling to allow services closer seem a better idea than doubling up rails, or new lines to be idle the rest of the day.

 

[Curious Orange]

Not forgetting a f*** off viaduct at Balcombe which I think might be listed?

Edit- It is listed!

View attachment 158767

Being listed didn't stop that one in Brighton getting demolished.

 

[Official Old Man]

I live in Uckfield and can say without any worry that this will never happen, ever ever. But then there are reasons it should happen. As a small settlement we are turning into a city. 1000's of houses (and that is thousands being built right now and many more with planning permission) are being built around a town that can't cope. Our infrastruction is from the 60's. Water, sewage and power is nowhere near enough to cope with all the houses. Not enough schools, doctors or dentists. The town itself is dieing with shops closing and the charity & coffee shops taking over.
Next look on Google maps at the route. From Uckfield to Lewes alone could never happen as to the south of Uckfield it's now an industrial site. If the cost now is half a £billion then double that. Nope, it will never happen.

 

[Boys 9d]

I am still of the opinion that a new east facing chord should be built north of Littlehampton and trains from London by either route via Horsham could then use that part of the West Coast line. If there is not enough capacity at Brighton Station, trains could terminate at the third platform in Hove or even Worthing as I am sure not every commuter lives in Brighton. At the moment some travellers leave the London trains at Hove and use the shuttle to Brighton.

 

[GT49er]

I am still of the opinion that a new east facing chord should be built north of Littlehampton and trains from London by either route via Horsham could then use that part of the West Coast line. If there is not enough capacity at Brighton Station, trains could terminate at the third platform in Hove or even Worthing as I am sure not every commuter lives in Brighton. At the moment some travellers leave the London trains at Hove and use the shuttle to Brighton.

This - especially if they are routed north of Horsham via Dorking and Leatherhead, thus avoiding the East Croydon bottleneck, instead of just nipping across the rejoin the Brighton main line at Three Bridges.