Brighton Main Line upgrade proposals

In 2018, we brought forward proposals to deliver faster, more reliable services and improved connections on the Brighton Main Line and the lines that feed into it.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty about future travel patterns, we paused the development of the largest elements of our proposals.

Targeted interventions along the Brighton Main Line have been delivered and are supporting faster and more reliable journeys. The renewal of track, signalling and associated infrastructure will continue in the coming years to modernise the route and replace less reliable assets as part of our Sussex Upgrade Plan.

Background

Bottlenecks on the Brighton Main Line, in particular in the Croydon area, caused delays to ripple across the network. And limited the ability to run more trains to accommodate rising passenger numbers.

The long-term strategy to upgrade the Brighton Main Line and address bottlenecks was known as the Brighton Mainline Upgrade Programme. It included the following proposals:

• The Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS)
  – An expanded and enhanced East Croydon station.
  – Remodelled track layout in the ‘Selhurst Triangle’ area.
  – Reconstruction of Lower Addiscombe Road/Windmill Bridge to accommodate additional tracks.
  – Norwood Junction station improvements.

• Reigate station upgrade
  – A new 12 car platform at Reigate station.

• Targeted improvements along the line
  – An enhanced track layout in the Gatwick Airport area to enable faster journey times and improve reliability.
  – Modified signal positions at Clapham Junction to increase capacity and improve reliability.
  – A new crossover in the Horsham area to provide more operational flexibility.

Current status of the proposals

The Brighton Mainline Upgrade Programme, which comprise the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS), Norwood Junction station improvements and a third platform at Reigate was paused in 2022 at Outline Business Case stage by the previous government. No further development work has taken place since this point, and the programme is not currently funded.

There are currently no plans to apply for any planning consents (such as a Transport and Works Act Order). Or undertake any associated compulsory land purchases.

Targeted improvements

We have delivered targeted improvements along the line which are giving passengers faster more reliable journeys.

• An enhanced track layout at Gatwick, delivered by the Gatwick Airport Station Project, has reduced journey times between London and Brighton by up to five minutes. And is supporting a more reliable service.
• A new crossover on the line at Horsham is giving signallers the ability to keep trains moving and minimise delays to trains on the Arun Valley branch.
• A modified signal layout in the Clapham Junction area allows the better spacing of trains on approach to this busy area.

Contact us

For more information you can email us at communityrelationssouthern@networkrail.co.uk. You can also visit our contact us page or call our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or you can contact us on Twitter at @NetworkRailSE