At the end of this pandemic there are major changes coming in the way we live our lives, travel about, to and from work and leisure – and we must expect and agree rapidly with the newly forming Transport for South East strategic planning body, affirms Co Chairman Ray Chapman, of East Sussex Rail Alliance (ESRA). “A major effect on work patterns – and how much we work at home – will have a massive impact on travel provision in the rail and road sector.
“Our hope is that we can agree that the rail system in the Southern Region, the whole of the South East of England, will not falter from its determination to develop the rail system and facilities. This particular wheel is in effect turning full circle back to the time of its heyday, prior to when the influence of the internal combustion engine took over as the prime mover of the nation’s passenger and goods. While road schemes are and will be required to smooth flow and cut the number of traffic accident spots, now is the time to upgrade rail for the longer distance needs.
“Our belief is that with carbon reduction measures on their way,, the need is to a complete re-appraisal of road pricing as part of the massive change in financing our travel patterns, to support public transport on rail and road,” Ray Chapman continues.
“TfSE has already prioritised the key rail upgrades which are fully supported by ESRA. However, we are inclined to press the case harder that the proposed new Thames tunnel accommodates rail as well as road. This would help rail transport to develop and to bring relief to the massive overload of traffic on Kent roads, also encouraging rail freight from the Channel Tunnel to and from the further reaches of the UK.
“Along with this, also to overcome the continuing inadequacies – land slips and signalling failures causing complete shut-downs – of the Tunbridge Wells-Hastings route, to vulnerable to extreme weather, ESRA is determined to increase pressure on Government in support of TfSE to upgrade the Ashford to Eastbourne route, which once done will not only increase capacity on what we dub the South Coast Main Line, but also encourage the development of the attractions of this major coastal strip and its economic returns to the Treasury.
“The South East offers a number of vital but quick return schemes which would add immeasurably to increase employment, productivity, get our Region back to work – and provide substantial support for the economy that this epidemic has caused.”