The Executive Mayor of Croydon and London Gatwick CEO have urged the Government to tackle the longstanding rail bottleneck around East Croydon and unlock billions of pounds of economic growth across London, the South East and beyond.
In a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Executive Mayor Jason Perry and London Gatwick Chief Executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit highlight the crucial role the Brighton Main Line and Thameslink network play in connecting communities, businesses, airports and investment opportunities across the country.
The call comes following the recent green light for London Gatwick’s multi-billion-pound Northern Runway programme, which is expected to create around 14,000 jobs, generate an additional £1bn in economic benefits annually and strengthen the UK’s international connectivity.
The leaders highlight that every rail service between London and Gatwick passes through East Croydon. Delays at this key pinch point can quickly spread across the wider rail network, impacting services throughout the Brighton Main Line, Thameslink route and beyond.
East Croydon is one of the busiest stations in the country and handles more trains each day than all the intercity operators serving Euston, King’s Cross and St Pancras combined.
The same corridor connects Brighton and the south coast with Gatwick, London, Luton, Bedford, Peterborough and Cambridge. It links two major airports, the capital’s employment market, important centres of innovation and some of the country’s most significant planned investments.
Mayor Perry and Mr Schmit argue that unless rail capacity is improved, infrastructure constraints could hold back growth linked to airport expansion: for example, housing delivery, tourism and private investment across a large part of the country.
Previous modelling has suggested that resolving the Croydon bottleneck could unlock around £5.1bn in economic value over 20 years, with the benefits likely to be even greater now given the scale of planned investment across the corridor.
Driving investment into the borough and boosting Croydon’s economy are key priorities for Mayor Perry. He said: “Croydon sits at the heart of a rail corridor connecting communities, businesses and two major airports. Yet a bottleneck here holds back opportunities far beyond our borough.
“Gatwick is investing more than £2bn of private funding in its Northern Runway programme, Britain’s first major runway expansion in a generation.
“We need the railway to support that investment, giving people reliable journeys and businesses the confidence to grow. The return would be felt in jobs, new homes and stronger local economies along the line.
“Working with Pierre-Hugues Schmit and the London Gatwick team, we are taking that case directly to the Chancellor. We will continue bringing together local authority leaders up and down the rail line to press for action. Addressing this bottleneck would improve daily life for our residents and help turn the Government’s aspirations for growth into investment and opportunity.”
The importance of improved transport was highlighted at the Invest in Croydon conference on 12 November, where Mayor Perry and Mr Schmit both gave speeches.
The event showcased why Croydon is one of London’s most compelling investment destinations and reinforced the vital role reliable transport connections play in attracting investment, supporting businesses and creating jobs.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, Chief Executive of London Gatwick, said: “Our Northern Runway programme is a major opportunity for the UK, creating around 14,000 jobs and contributing an additional £1bn to the regional economy every year.
“Reliable, convenient and affordable public transport is central to our growth and to ensuring that its benefits reach businesses and communities across the region. Addressing the Croydon bottleneck would strengthen a vital connection between Gatwick, London and the wider country.
“We are pleased to be working with Mayor Perry and Croydon Council to make this shared case to Government. By planning rail capacity alongside the private investment already committed, we can help secure the greatest possible economic benefit for the UK.”
Mayor Perry has previously raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Transport. Croydon Council stands ready to work with Government, Network Rail, London Gatwick and partners across the Thameslink corridor to develop a practical and deliverable solution that supports the Government’s growth ambitions.
