Road traffic row over franchise
- Published: 28 August 2008 08:01
- Last Updated: 28 August 2008 09:34
Councils in Kent and Surrey have accused the government of designing a rail franchise that will cause a massive increase in road traffic.
The row has erupted over the granchise for the South Central Network, where the Department for Transport (DfT) has invited bids on the basis of heavy service cuts on the North Downs line including the loss of Kent's direct link to Gatwick Airport.
Councils have argued that the service should instead be expanded because the line could provide connections from the Ashford and Thames Gateway growth areas to Gatwick.
Tonbridge & Malling BC planning, transport and leisure director Steve Humphrey told the DfT that the council "objected in the strongest possible terms" to the loss of the Tonbridge-Gatwick link.
He was also alarmed that the remaining hourly off-peak service will survive only subject to an unspecified trial period.
The changes threatened "a service that for many compelling reasons should be protected and enhanced rather that destroyed", he wrote.
Kent CC and Sevenoaks and Tandridge DCs have also protested against the franchise.
Mr Humphrey said fewer and more indirect services would encourage people to drive from Kent to Gatwick rather than make inconvenient changes.
"I can think of few proposals more calculated to subvert [sustainable] transportation policy," he said.
