🚆 Croydon Area Remodelling Funding: Brighton Mainline

• Natasha Irons from Croydon East highlighted the importance of the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS) to improve the Brighton mainline, one of the busiest rail routes in the UK. The scheme aims to enhance capacity and reduce congestion at East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations.

• CARS would add two new platforms at East Croydon, expand the concourse, and improve local transport connections. It would also modernize Norwood Junction by extending platforms and adding step-free access via a new footbridge.

• Jim Shannon from Strangford supported the need for increased funding for public transport outside London, arguing that years of underspending have left services in need of repair.

• Bobby Dean from Carshalton and Wallington agreed with Irons on the importance of reliable and frequent train services, suggesting that improvements could boost passenger numbers and benefit both the economy and the environment.

• Simon Lightwood, the Transport Minister, acknowledged the importance of the Brighton mainline, citing recent investments such as the Thameslink programme and upgrades at Gatwick Airport station. He noted that these have improved capacity and reduced journey times.

• Peter Lamb from Crawley emphasized that without the CARS improvements, trains would be full before reaching his constituency, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

• Lightwood explained that the CARS project was paused in 2021 due to the pandemic’s impact on travel patterns and public finances. He mentioned that a spending review is ongoing, and decisions on funding for CARS would be made after its conclusion in June.

• The Minister recognized the potential benefits of CARS for economic growth in Croydon and the southeast but highlighted the high costs and funding challenges faced by the government across multiple sectors. He offered to meet with Natasha Irons to further discuss the scheme.

The session on the Croydon Area Remodelling Funding and the Brighton Mainline shows a moderate level of disagreement, primarily centered around the urgency and funding of the proposed Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS). The disagreements are not overtly confrontational but are evident in the differing perspectives on the necessity and feasibility of the project given current economic constraints.

1. Disagreement on Funding and Urgency: Natasha Irons (Croydon East) strongly advocates for the CARS, emphasizing its importance for economic growth and improved transport links across the south-east. She highlights the support from stakeholders and the potential economic benefits, including job creation and increased capacity at Gatwick Airport. In contrast, Simon Lightwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, acknowledges the benefits of CARS but points out the significant costs and the need to assess public spending carefully due to the ongoing spending review. This indicates a disagreement on the urgency and priority of funding CARS amidst other public spending needs.

   Example: Natasha Irons states, “Despite a consultation with stakeholders and passengers showing that 90% of respondents were in favour of CARS, in 2020 the previous Government shelved these crucial infrastructure plans, turning their back on economic growth in Croydon and across the south-east.” In response, Simon Lightwood says, “Given that this process is ongoing, I regret that I am not able to comment on individual projects such as the Croydon area remodelling scheme until the spending review has concluded in June.”

2. Intervention by Jim Shannon: Jim Shannon’s intervention introduces a broader perspective on public transport funding, suggesting a disagreement on the approach to funding public transport projects. He argues for sustainable long-term funding for local authorities, which indirectly challenges the government’s current approach to funding specific projects like CARS.

   Example: Jim Shannon states, “Does she agree that years of underspending on public transport have left railway and bus services drowning in repair work, and that if the Government wish to have a thriving public transport service outside London, local authorities must be given the funding to fix services—be they in Croydon or Newtownards—rather than having to shake a begging bowl for pennies, as they do now?”

3. Supportive Interventions: Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) and Peter Lamb (Crawley) both support Natasha Irons’ arguments, emphasizing the impact of the Croydon bottleneck on their areas and the urgency of addressing it. These interventions do not directly show disagreement but reinforce the urgency and need for action, which contrasts with the Minister’s cautious approach.

   Example: Bobby Dean says, “The hon. Lady is making an excellent case for solving the Croydon bottleneck, as it is known. As she has outlined, it affects not only her area of Croydon, but my area of Carshalton and Wallington…” Peter Lamb adds, “This debate is about the fact that in shortly over a decade, the line will be completely at capacity, so any train leaving Brighton will be full by the time it arrives at my constituency of Crawley.”

Overall, the session shows a moderate level of disagreement, primarily between the urgency and feasibility of funding the CARS project, with the Minister’s cautious approach contrasting with the strong advocacy from Natasha Irons and supportive interventions from other MPs.