Board of airline representatives in the UK (BAR UK) has called for the Department for Transport (DfT) to withdraw its consultation document on Gatwick Express.
Plans to scrap the Gatwick Express were announced two years ago, and BAR UK has called for the document to be withdrawn, stating ”it is flawed”.
BAR UK chief executive Mike Carrivick told ABTN: "The response we are seeking is a suspension of the current consultation process, and the postponement of any decisions regarding the Brighton Main Line. Our activities relating to Gatwick Express have just reached two years, and have been strongly complemented by pressures from several international carriers, and some overseas diplomatic sources.
"Right now, we feel that the consultation document is flawed because of the incomplete analysis of two of the options, and because it ignores two potential major infrastructure projects that could be integral to improvements on this line."
He continued: "four options were highlighted for comment, yet only two have been fully thought out. The consultation criteria states that the proposals must be clear; two of them (options 3 and 4) are patently not clear as a full analysis has not been undertaken.
”BAR UK is also very concerned that two proposed major infrastructure developments have not been taken into account as part of this consultation. They are the doubling of passenger capacity on the Thameslink line through London Bridge, and the development of Gatwick Airport station.
”Individually, they could make a substantial difference to future improvements on the Brighton main line. Collectively, they represent opportunities for great changes, yet have been totally ignored.
”A fast, regular, non-stop service between Gatwick Airport and London is required for the ever-increasing number of travellers. Proposals that could get rid of it (based on incomplete information) to fix a problem that exists only for a couple of hours at most in peak morning time, is not the way to proceed.”