Proposals to scrap the Gatwick Expressed were first announced two years ago.

Last month, the Department for Transport (DfT) published its consultation document 'Implementation of the Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy' (BML RUS).

BAR UK now calls for this document to be withdrawn, as it is flawed.

Having explored the consultation document in detail, the Chief Executive of BAR UK, Mike Carrivick, said 'Four options were highlighted for comment, yet only two have been fully thought out. Who says so? - the Department for Transport itself in the very same document! The consultation criteria states that the proposals must be clear; two of them (options 3 and 4) are patently not clear as a full analysis has not been undertaken.

'BAR UK is also very concerned that two proposed major infrastructure developments have not been taken into account as part of this consultation. They are the doubling of passenger capacity on the Thameslink line through London Bridge, and the development of Gatwick Airport station.

'Individually, they could make a substantial difference to future improvements on the Brighton Main Line. Collectively, they represent opportunities for great changes, yet have been totally ignored.

'A fast, regular, non-stop service between Gatwick Airport and London is required for the ever-increasing number of travellers. Proposals that could get rid of it, based on incomplete information, to fix a problem that exists only for a couple of hours at most in the morning peak time, is not the way to proceed.'

BAR UK has written to the DfT calling for the withdrawal of the consultation document, and now awaits its response.

For editors:
BAR UK represents 91 scheduled airlines in the UK, many of whom operate into Gatwick.It represents its members in dealings Government, Government departments, regulators and Airport Operators. Full details of its work can be found on the website, www.bar-uk.org.

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