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Monday 3 Feb 2014

Baroness Kramer opens Gatwick Airport station’s £53m new platform and facilities

Region & Route:

| Southern

A new platform has been opened at Gatwick Airport’s railway station, providing a better service for passengers going to the airport and unblocking a bottleneck on the Brighton main line.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer formally opened Platform 7 and its associated facilities today (Monday), marking the culmination of more than £80m investment in the Brighton line over the New Year.

Network Rail completed the building work over Christmas, while signalling equipment was renewed at London Victoria, and rails replaced at Stoats Next Junction, near Purley. Despite the difficult weather conditions, the projects were delivered on time and on budget and mark a crucial stage in improving the railway in Sussex.

Baroness Kramer said: “Gatwick makes a vital contribution to the UK economy and we must make sure facilities are upgraded for the benefit of passengers. That is why we have committed a further £50 million towards the complete redevelopment of the station. I am delighted to open this new platform and thank staff for their work during horrendous weather."

More than a third of Gatwick Airport’s 35m passengers arrive by train and that figure is expected to rise, along with demand along the railway in Sussex.

Tim Robinson, Network Rail’s route managing director for Sussex, said: “Managing growth is a challenge, but a good one to have. Gatwick Airport is significant not just as an important station for passengers, but an important part of the UK’s infrastructure. We recognise that and this £53m investment is crucial to keep trains flowing and improve the experience of passengers from all stations in the region.”

Growth on the line is currently hitting 7 per cent per year and is expected to go up by 22 per cent by 2020.

Chris Burchell, Southern’s Managing Director said: “Running around 2,300 train services per day over some of Britain’s most congested track is always a challenge. This major investment will improve the flexibility and reliability of the network in this critical section of the Brighton Mainline. As a result, passengers should see an improved travelling experience to accompany our other efforts to drive up service quality on our trains and stations.”

Gatwick Airport station, which is operated by Southern and also served by First Capital Connect, is directly linked to 129 stations and a further 700 can be reached with just one change.

Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick Chief Executive, said: “London Gatwick is already the best connected UK airport by rail and this upgrade will benefit the broad range of people that the airport station attracts, from tourists to the business traveller. It will allow us to compete even more for passengers and airlines wanting to come to London and the South East region.

“This is the first step in our vision for a further major redevelopment of the airport station – the Gatwick Gateway. We recognised that with over 14 million people arriving or departing by rail that an investment had to be made to improve the passenger experience in and around the airport.”

First Capital Connect MD David Statham said: "The Brighton Main Line is one of the busiest routes in the UK and the new platform at Gatwick is fantastic news for passengers. This part of the line can be frustrating particularly during disruption, and this work should mean fewer delays."