Members of Parliament have reiterated their demands for a comprehensive renovation of two railway stations in south London as part of an evaluation of the Brighton mainline.
During a parliamentary discussion concerning the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS), Labour’s MP for Croydon East, Natasha Irons, alongside Peter Lamb, MP for Crawley, urged for a reassessment of the plans, which have faced delays due to the pandemic, shifts in commuter patterns, and financial limitations.
The MPs contended that without modifications to East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations, any initiatives aimed at enhancing or expanding services would face significant limitations.
Irons emphasized that prolonged delays could impede economic development in the coast-to-capital region.
Originally proposed in 2020, CARS aims to alleviate congestion in the Croydon area along the Brighton mainline, a crucial connection between London and the southern coast, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Network Rail attributed the challenges to “insufficient capacity” at East Croydon station and the intricate arrangement of junctions north of Croydon, while asserting that CARS would yield a speedier, more dependable service with enhanced connectivity.
In her remarks to the Commons, Irons highlighted plans to introduce two new platforms at East Croydon station along with an expanded concourse to enhance facilities and integrate better with local transport networks.
She noted that Norwood Junction station would also see modernization through platform extension and the addition of a lift-equipped footbridge.
Lamb pointed out that many residents in Crawley rely on the Brighton mainline for daily commuting, noting that the service becomes “increasingly cramped and unreliable each year.”
He cautioned that without necessary investment, the situation will deteriorate further, warning that “by 2040, there may be no room left for passengers at all.”
Throughout the debate, both MPs referenced the expansion of Gatwick Airport and the current Labour government’s inclination towards increased public ownership of the rail network, supporting their case for a renewed examination of CARS.
They argued that postponing CARS would stifle growth and adversely affect the regions linking London, Crawley, and Gatwick.
Irons stated, “The expansion of Gatwick Airport makes addressing capacity challenges at East Croydon station all the more urgent.”
She informed her fellow MPs that if the project progresses, it could also facilitate the development of the “Croydon opportunity area,” which is designated for 14,500 new residences and 10,500 jobs by 2041.
In response, Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport, expressed disappointment over his inability to comment on specific projects until the conclusion of the spending review in June.
