Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Fears of overcrowding and cancellations spark fresh calls to overhaul two Croydon rail stations as part of a Brighton Mainline review, reports Harrison Galliven.
According to MPs, “urgent” modifications are required to boost capacity at East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations and end rail line delays.
The request comes after a March 31 debate in Parliament that focused on the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS), which aims to address the persistent problems with the Brighton Main Line.
The busiest and most intricate section of the UK’s rail system is still the Brighton Main Line, which connects London with the South Coast.
Despite being a major hub station for commuters and those utilizing the Gatwick Express, East Croydon station is infamous for its overcrowding and lack of capacity.
In addition, the Selhurst Triangle—a series of intricate intersections north of the station—has resulted in years of major cancellations and delays.
The train network’s efficiency has long been hampered by the Croydon bottleneck, which affects both travel times and the capacity to accommodate rising demand.
The CARS project, which was first proposed in 2020, sought to alleviate the bottleneck by providing a faster, more dependable service with better connection throughout the coast-to-capital corridor.
The plan’s future is questionable, nevertheless, as it experienced delays, in part because of the COVID-19 epidemic, changes in passenger behavior, and financial limitations.
Peter Lamb, the MP for Crawley, and Natasha Irons, the Labour MP for Croydon East, are now demanding a new evaluation of the plan. They contended throughout the debate that without more capacity, attempts to increase service routes or enhance timeliness would be severely constrained, which could impede regional economic growth.
They also cited the government’s move toward more public ownership of the rail network and the revitalization of Gatwick Airport as evidence that a review is urgently needed.
It is anticipated that the Gatwick Airport expansion will boost the UK economy by £1 billion a year and add 14,000 new employment.
The government has laid out goals to raise the percentage of travelers who use public transportation to get to the airport from 44% to 54%.
Delaying the CARS plan, according to both MPs, would impede this growth and have an effect on the areas between London, Crawley, and Gatwick.
According to Irons, the project would also aid in the growth of the Croydon Opportunity Area, which is expected to result in 10,500 new employment and 14,500 new dwellings by 2041.
She went on to say that upgrading East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations will modernize the infrastructure to accommodate future passenger demand while also giving the local and national economies a much-needed boost.
According to Network Rail’s consultations, 90% of participants are in favor of renovating the stations and removing the Croydon bottleneck. These upgrades are thought to be crucial for improving Croydon’s transport connections and fostering economic expansion in London and the South East.
The demands for action emphasize how urgently infrastructure investment is required to address serious problems on one of the busiest rail lines in Britain.
Irons said:
“The need for investment in Croydon’s rail infrastructure has not gone away,” said Natasha Irons.
If anything, the expansion of Gatwick Airport makes addressing the capacity challenges at East Croydon station even more critical. Resuming the CARS project would increase capacity at East Croydon and provide step-free access at Norwood Junction.
This is not just good for Croydon; it’s good for the entire southeast.”
Peter Lamb added:
“Many Crawley residents depend on the Brighton Main Line for their daily commute, and the service they face is becoming more cramped and unreliable every year. Without investment, conditions will continue to worsen, and by 2040, there may not be any space left for passengers at all.
That’s why I’m fighting for this investment—and I will continue fighting until it’s secured.”
In response to the calls, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood said:
“I regret that I am not able to comment on individual projects such as the Croydon area remodelling scheme until the spending review has concluded in June.”
What are the key issues driving the call for overhaul in Croydon?
Passengers are returning to almost pre-pandemic levels at East Croydon, one of the busiest non-terminal railway stations in Britain. Overcrowding is still a problem, though, particularly during busy times.
Being a significant intersection on the Brighton Main Line, Norwood Junction also experiences traffic.
The Brighton Main Line is often delayed due to the “Croydon bottleneck,” which is caused by flat junctions in the Selhurst Triangle north of East Croydon. Every day, 300,000 passengers experience disruptions as a result of trains having to wait for other trains to pass at red signals.
The antiquated infrastructure at both stations makes it difficult for them to accommodate the demand for passengers both now and in the future.