Business leaders have written to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling urging him to abandon plans to axe a non-stop rail service to London.

Under the proposals the Gatwick Express, which runs every 15 minutes, would be scrapped and replaced with additional stopping services which would extend to Brighton.

Air travellers laden with luggage would have to board busy commuter trains, a change some fear could harm Sussex's reputation as a place to do business.

The plans were first put forward early last year by the now disbanded Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) in an effort to relieve congestion on commuter trains.

But business leaders have urged a rethink.

Sussex Enterprise, which represents the county's chambers of commerce, has written to Mr Darling begging him to ditch the proposals.

Chief executive Mark Froud said: "It seems unbelievable that one of the largest international airports in the world could lose its dedicated rail link.

"With the London Olympics beckoning, surely this is the time to ensure the journey between the capital and Gatwick is as easy as possible.

"Mixing air travellers, commuters and shoppers all on the same trains will just make the overcrowding on our railway worse."

Business leaders view Gatwick as vital to the Sussex economy. Independent research showed 84 per cent of firms were in favour of expansion at the airport.

Mr Froud added: "The existing transport infrastructure is designed to support an expanding, international level airport, with the possibility of a second runway in mind.

"Limiting this infrastructure by closing the Gatwick Express would limit the potential for the airport to expand and this would have devastating effects on the local economy.

"The abolition of the Gatwick Express as we know it would be a backward step when what is really needed is heavy investment in the infrastructure to meet the demands of the future."

The alternative service would be integrated into the Southern Train network and would stop at East Croydon and possibly Clapham Junction.

Airport operator BAA is vigorously opposed to the plans.

Last week BAA Gatwick managing director Paul Griffiths said the changes would compromise safety and discourage people from travelling to the airport by train.

He told Gatwick Airport's Consultative Committee: "Gatwick loses a virtual waiting room because there will no longer be a dedicated train waiting on the platform."

He also said downgrading the service would scupper BAA's sustainable transport plans to increase users of public transport from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of Sussex and Surrey business association CADIA, said: "The Gatwick Express is one of the few bits of public transport which actually works. Expecting families with children to get on a normal train in 90 seconds with all their luggage is ludicrous."

Tuesday, October 25, 2005