Anthony Baker (no relation) is right to identify the need for more rail capacity between the South Coast – please, not just Brighton – and London (Letters, August 19).
This is something the Lib Dems have long argued for but the cost of a new Balcombe viaduct (and a new Balcombe tunnel too) would be horrendous.
A much cheaper solution would be to reopen the Lewes to Uckfield line, providing an alternative route into London and so taking pressure off the Brighton main line.
However, with either option there will also be a need to tackle the bottleneck at East Croydon, which cannot get any more trains through in the rush hour, and ultimately somehow find more platform space at a London terminus.
But more capacity does need to be found and the Government should commit to a study to get the ball rolling.
The present Sussex Route Utilisation Strategy, currently under way, in fact gives the precise opportunity.
Norman Baker
Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes
Shadow Transport Secretary
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