Airport links unfit for Olympics
Government ministers have been told by West Sussex County Council's leader that a spending squeeze could leave Gatwick Airport's rail links 'unfit for purpose' when the 2012 Olympic Games start.
Cllr Henry Smith has spoken out after a report on future investment showed that only 9m is proposed for improvements to the Gatwick station concourse before the London Games, instead of the 30m plus originally expected to end 'bottlenecks' with a comprehensive scheme including track, signalling and platform improvements.
In a letter to Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and transport secretary Ruth Kelly, he says: "It is the view of West Sussex County Council that this approach makes no sense and will leave Gatwick unfit for purpose for the Olympic period and beyond."
Cllr Smith said this week: "We are making strong representation to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), which has said it will not release the funds needed to improve the track, signalling and platforms at the station that we regard as essential.
"Gatwick is going to be a major gateway into this country for the Olympics, second only to Heathrow, and we need a fast, efficient and effective rail network to move people around.
"It would be a major disappointment if we only get the concourse improvements before 2012."
Cllr Smith said a comprehensive scheme at Gatwick was not just about providing a showcase for millions of people passing through the airport during the Olympics.
"We need the track, signalling and platform improvements for the long term future of Gatwick as part of ensuring that its growth from 35.5 million passengers a year to a predicted 40 million by 2015 is as sustainable as possible," he declared.
"That means we need to encourage more people across the South East and beyond to leave their cars at home and use public transport for journeys to the airport.
"It surely also makes much more sense to complete all the work needed at Gatwick as a single package instead of adopting a piecemeal approach. Completing the full scheme at the same time is also going to minimise disruption."
The letter said: "Gatwick Airport provides a transport hub of strategic significance, not just for the local population and economy, but also for the South East, and, indeed, for the country as a whole.
"It is one of the most important pieces of our national infrastructure.
"The current station and track configuration is not fit for today's purposes and therefore the ORR must regard this project as a high priority and ensure the scheme is delivered at the right time."
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