The North Downs Line Partnership, which aims to improve east-west train connectivity in Surrey, is receiving support from key organisations.
The North Downs Line is a key orbital east-west link for the South-East. It connects Reading, Guildford, Dorking, Gatwick Airport and the towns and villages in between.
As part of broader efforts to support regional economic growth and transport decarbonisation, a new partnership group is now meeting.
Great Western Railway (GWR), Network Rail, London Gatwick and Surrey County Council attended the inaugural meeting of the group. Its aim is to improve local services, grow the line and unlock further benefits for customers.
Partners want to develop the growth corridor while working closely together to deliver better services for residents and customers.
A key change could be the introduction of fast-charge battery trains on the line. This is something that GWR bosses shared with partners at the inaugural meeting.
Ongoing improvements
The North Downs Line Partnership is already unlocking benefits for passengers. It is building on early success of collaboration, including increased connectivity and a better timetable.
The December 2023 timetable change saw the introduction of two trains per hour between Reading and London Gatwick. This led to nearly 100,000 new passenger journeys year-on-year, with customers taking advantage of more frequent services to better suit their plans. Further plans to improve the timetable are in development.
Members of the partnership recently visited GWRโs fast charge batteryย test trainย at West Ealing to see the innovative technology.
Partners agree battery electric powered trains offer the best solution to replace the diesel trains currently in service on the line. It will provide better outcomes for passengers and support decarbonisation.
Next steps will be to encourage more partners to get involved to improve this vital train link. It is also looking to champion future investment in the line to promote rail as a sustainable way to travel.
This links in with the recently-launched Surrey’s Economic Growth Strategy 2025 to 2035, which identifies transport and connectivity as one of five key drivers of change.
North Downs Line Partnership – what they say
Cllr Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for Transport, Highways and Economic Growth, said:
โWe’re pleased to see this new Partnership launched to focus improvements on the North Downs Line, working with a range of organisations to deliver on this. As the first local authority to sign up, we want to encourage more partners to come forward and share knowledge, expertise and ideas to improve the service.”
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick said:
โAs we continue to grow as an airport, it is vital that we continue to invest in boosting sustainable transport options for our passengers and local communities.
โThe Great Western Railway service to Reading is already a vital service. Our partnership provides the framework for an even more ambitious and collaborative approach to developing air to rail services at London Gatwick. We are delighted to continue this journey with the GWR team.โ
Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway said:
โThe North Downs Line remains a key route on our network, connecting communities across four counties with London Gatwick. Weโre proud to serve it. We want to see the timetable strengthened and deliver these improvements with local stakeholders to best accommodate the diverse range of customer needs along the route.โ
Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director for Network Rail, said:
โWe are investing in the North Downs Line. Earlier this year, we replaced the wheel timbers on the bridge over the River Wey, south of Guildford.
“We are committed to finding ways to renew and improve the line for years to come to better serve those communities. Later this year, we will be completing the resignalling project on the line between Guildford and Reigate. Further details will be announced in due course.โ
