London Banter - Watford to Brighton rail line to be axed

(Colin Rosenstiel) wrote in message ...
Here is the text of a postcard leaflet campaign being launched tomorrow
morning at Watford Junction:

"The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and Network Rail have put in place
plans to cease the Watford to Brighton rail service.

All direct West London Line trains from Watford, Harrow, Wembley,
Kensington Olympia and West Brompton to station south of Clapham Junction
including Gatwick Airport and Brighton are under threat.

The Brighton Mail Line Route Utilisation Strategy proposes Victoria as the
main route to Brighton (Victoria cannot be accessed direct from Watford).
This will man Clapham will no longer be the route to the South coast and
passengers will have to go via London Underground, typically from Euston.

This will result in:
- No direct trains to East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Haywards Heath
and Brighton
- More dangerous congestion on Platform 17 at Clapham as all trains
would terminate there.
- Additional overcrowding on the peak time services from Clapham and
East Croydon
- Longer travel time south for those forced to go across London to
Victoria.

This plan is still out for consultation so we have a chance of getting it
changed.

If you want to save the service please make your views known by completing
this card and sending it to the Strategic Rail Authority. The deadline is
3rd December 2004. (Don?t forget to affix a stamp).

To Nick Newton, Chief Executive of the SRA

The direct rail service from Watford to Brighton is vital, providing
access to West London, Gatwick Airport, the south coast and all
intermediate stops. Over 1000 people a day use this service.

We are deeply worried that there is a proposal to cease the direct
service. In particular, the direct service is crucial for business
commuters as well as travellers accessing Gatwick Airport.

We request that the Strategic rail Authority reject the proposal and
guarantees the future of direct rail services for Watford - via West
London and Gatwick - Brighton.

I would like a reply to this representation on the Watford Brighton Main
Line Route Utilisation Strategy.

Published by Sal Brinton and Watford Liberal Democrats - campaigning to
save the Watford - Brighton rail service

Nick Newton
Strategic Rail Authority
55 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU

Save our rail service
Watford - Brighton"

Comments?

I posed the question on another thread, why are the platforms on the
mainline at Willesden Junc not reinstated? There would be no need for
a direct Watford to Gatwick service then running trains from some
other station around the North London Line if the direct service is
withdrawn.
When ever I have used it it has been very well used but I have to say
why is it so bloody slow.