"Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed that the project had been paused by the previous government in 2022 without notifying stakeholders, and has not been reinstated in subsequent spending reviews."
"Croydon East MP Natasha Irons warned that failing to tackle the longstanding bottleneck could have wider consequences for the South East economy, emphasizing that 'Rail is not an optional extra - it is a fundamental element of Gatwick's success.'"
"Lightwood described the Brighton Main Line as a 'vital artery' and pointed to previous investment, including the £7bn Thameslink programme and the £250m upgrade of Gatwick Airport station."
"Despite the funding constraints, Lightwood urged local leaders to continue developing their business case ahead of the next spending review in 2027."
Funding delays for a major rail upgrade in Croydon threaten to affect other projects, such as Gatwick Airport's runway expansion and the Universal Studios UK theme park. The project, proposed in 2020, aims to alleviate a bottleneck on the Brighton Main Line. Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed the project was paused in 2022 without stakeholder notification and has not been reinstated. MP Natasha Irons emphasized the importance of rail for the South East economy and Gatwick's success, while Lightwood noted current constraints on rail spending and the lack of plans for necessary consents.
Read at www.bbc.com
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