Appendix A: Strategic priority schemes
From the plan to delivery
In addition to our strategic schemes, we have developed packages of interventions to address each of our key challenges. These comprise infrastructure, service enhancements and complementary measures (including policy and technology) for larger, more strategic longer-term schemes, and smaller shorter-term measures.
The delivery partners who will be largely responsible for the funding and delivery of these rail interventions include the DfT, NR and TOCs/GBR. East Sussex County Council will have an important delivery partner role, providing necessary support to the main partners to deliver interventions which work, and are appropriate, for the county.
High Speed 1 to Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne
LTP objective alignment
- Transport decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Local environment conservation: Strong Alignment
- Healthier lifestyles and communities: Moderate alignment
- Safer and accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Sustainable economic growth: Very strong alignment
- Network resilience: Very strong alignment
Priority area alignment
- Decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Customer experience: Strong Alignment
- Integration: Strong Alignment
- Reliability and resilience: Very strong alignment
- Journey times: Very strong alignment
Scheme description
A package of infrastructure interventions to enable high speed services from London (HS1) to continue from Ashford to Rye, Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne via the Marshlink Line. These may include:
- Electrification,
- Re-doubling of track in some sections,
- Further upgrades to track and signalling,
- Introduction of full barrier crossings to replace existing half-barriers and/or a closure of level crossings, and
- Subsequent timetabling changes which enable services to run at faster speeds.
Scheme rationale
Journey times between Hastings and London are amongst the slowest from all major coastal towns on the South Coast, with the fastest journey times ranging between 1 hour 30 mins – 2 hours. By comparison, journeys times on HS1 between Dover and Folkestone range between 55 mins – 1hr 15 mins, with both towns located further from London. Extending HS1 into East Sussex has the potential to reduce journey times between these locations and London by 27 minutes from Hastings and 45 minutes from Bexhill. The scheme will also improve connectivity with Kent and provide an alternative through rail route to the county, enabling better reliability and resilience against disruption. Improved connectivity would provide local and regional economic benefits.
Scheme enablers and interdependencies
- Other rail services to Eastbourne and Hastings – this may complement existing East Coastway line services and planned enhancements; or enable more stopping services on the existing Hastings to London service with the route via HS1 providing a faster alternative for passengers travelling to London.
- Local bus and active travel initiatives along the route - to enable more seamless and accessible first and last-mile integration and provide more competitive origin to destination journey times compared to private vehicles.
- Innovation in alternative rail decarbonisation technology, such as new battery trains, may provide a sensible alternative to electrification at a lower capital cost.
- The importance of the private sector in financially contributing towards the delivery of rail infrastructure improvements should not be under-estimated. With funding restraints and competing demands, where private developers would reap benefits from improved accessibility and reduced journey times arising from infrastructure improvements, there should be an expectation that such new development should allocate a proportion of funding towards the rail infrastructure projects. This should be factored into and reflected in national, regional and local policy.
From Plan to delivery
Current status
Strategic Outline Business Case - submitted December 2021, awaiting decision.
Five-year plan
Outline Business Case.
Indicative cost band (revenue/capital)
£800m - £1bn capital cost, with service enhancements likely to be revenue positive or neutral.
Delivery partners
Network Rail to lead development of Outline Business Case, Full Business Case and delivery with support from HS1 Ltd, Transport for the South East, East Sussex County Council, Department for Transport, Local Authorities, Train operators and private sector.
Hurst Green (Oxted) - Uckfield electrification and dual tracking or passing loops
LTP objective alignment
- Transport decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Local environment conservation: Strong alignment
- Healthier lifestyles and communities: Moderate alignment
- Safer and accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Sustainable economic growth: Strong alignment
- Network resilience: Strong alignment
Priority area alignment
- Decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Customer experience: Strong alignment
- Integration: Strong alignment
- Reliability and resilience: Strong alignment
- Journey times: Moderate alignment
Scheme description
Electrification of the existing railway from Uckfield to Hurst Green via Edenbridge.
Scheme rationale
This section is the only radial railway route from London that is unelectrified. Electrification will support decarbonisation of the rail network and improve its cohesion with other services in the region which may also bring about operational efficiencies and reliability and resilience outcomes. Dual tracking or passing loops will increase service frequency and increase the number of people wanting to travel by rail.
Scheme interdependencies
- Reopening of Lewes-Uckfield and Spa Valley railway lines - would expand the opportunity for direct connectivity to more destinations in Kent and on the south coast and provide an alternative route between London and the south coast.
- Bus and active travel initiatives along the route - would enable more seamless first and last-mile integration and provide more competitive ultimate origin to destination journey times compared to private vehicles.
- Third rail electrification of the Uckfield line - as it would allow the route to use the pool of third-rail Electric Multiple Units (EMU) in the area - is one of Network Rail’s top priorities south of the river Thames, but would require financial commitment from the rail industry. Innovation in alternative rail decarbonisation technology, such as new battery trains, may provide a sensible alternative to electrification at a lower capital cost.
From Plan to delivery
Current status
Strategic Outline Business Case - submitted December 2021, awaiting decision.
Five-year plan
Outline Business Case.
Indicative cost band (revenue/capital)
£130m - £150m capital cost with operational savings.
Delivery partners
Network Rail to lead development of Outline Business Case, Full Business Case and delivery with support from Transport for the South East, East Sussex County Council, Department for Transport, Local Authorities, train operating companies and private sector, Heritage Railway (for Spa Valley).
Uckfield - Lewes Line reopening
LTP objective alignment
- Transport decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Local environment conservation: Strong alignment
- Healthier lifestyles and communities: Moderate alignment
- Safer and accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Sustainable economic growth: Very strong alignment
- Network resilience: Very strong alignment
Priority area alignment
- Decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Customer experience: Strong alignment
- Integration: Very strong alignment
- Reliability and resilience: Very strong alignment
- Journey times: Very strong alignment
Scheme description
Providing a railway connection between Uckfield and Lewes - with reconfiguration of Lewes station to allow services on the Wealden Line to continue on the East Coastway Line to/from Brighton - would provide a rail connection from Uckfield and the surrounding area to the south coast, as well as an alternative route between Brighton and London should there be disruption on the Brighton Main Line. This scheme has the potential delivery of an intermediate station to unlock new sustainable housing development which could in turn help to fund the scheme costs.
Scheme rationale
Delivering a direct option by rail between Uckfield and Lewes with Brighton and the south coast will transform rail connectivity for residents living along the route and reduce local car-based emissions by introducing a sustainable transport alternative. It will also provide a new link from London to the south coast thus encouraging more people to travel south. Connecting these communities will reduce local car-based emissions by introducing a sustainable alternative. It will also support wider socio-economic outcomes through improved access to jobs and services for residents, and improved access to labour markets and agglomeration benefits for businesses, making these conurbations more attractive places to live and work.
The reinstatement of the Eridge to Tunbridge Wells rail route has been safeguarded in Wealden District Council’s emerging Local Plan (Regulation 18) under Draft Policy INF5 (Safeguarding Infrastructure).
Scheme enablers and interdependencies
- Reopening of Spa Valley railway line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells - expands the opportunity for direct connectivity to more destinations in Kent and on the South Coast.
- Electrification of Hurst-Green to Uckfield - to enable decarbonised rail services.
- Bus and active travel initiatives along the route - to enable more seamless first and last- mile integration and provide more competitive ultimate origin to destination journey times compared to private vehicles.
From Plan to delivery
Current status
Feasibility Study.
Five-year plan
Strategic Outline Business Case.
Indicative cost band (revenue/capital)
£120m - £140m capital cost with new services expected to be revenue positive or neutral in longer-term.
Delivery partners
Transport for the South East to lead development of Strategic Outline Business Case with input of Network Rail.
Network Rail to lead delivery with support from Transport for the South East, East Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, Department for Transport, Local Authorities, train operating companies and private sector, e.g. housing developers.
Eridge - Tunbridge Wells railway line reinstatement (Spa Valley Line Modern Operations Reopening)
LTP objective alignment
- Transport decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Local environment conservation: Strong alignment
- Healthier lifestyles and communities: Moderate alignment
- Safer and accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Sustainable economic growth: Very strong alignment
- Network resilience: Very strong alignment
Priority area alignment
- Decarbonisation: Very strong alignment
- Accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Customer experience: Strong alignment
- Integration: Very strong alignment
- Reliability and resilience: Very strong alignment
- Journey times: Very strong alignment
Scheme description
Conversion of the Spa Valley Line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells to enable modern train operations.
Scheme rationale
Delivering this scheme in conjunction with the reinstatement of the rail line between Lewes and Uckfield will deliver a new rail connectivity option between Kent, East Sussex and the south coast, and an alternative rail route between London and the south coast (with combined delivery of the Tunbridge Wells - Tunbridge Wells West route). This will transform rail connectivity for residents living in East Sussex and Kent, reducing local car-based emissions by introducing a sustainable transport alternative. Bringing these places closer together by rail will also support wider socio-economic outcomes through improved access to jobs and services for residents, and improved access to labour markets and agglomeration benefits for businesses, making these conurbations more attractive places to live, work and visit.
Scheme enablers and interdependencies
- Reopening of the railway line between Uckfield and Lewes - would provide improved connectivity between the South Coast and Kent.
- Electrification of Hurst-Green to Uckfield - to enable decarbonised rail services.
- Bus and active travel initiatives along the route - to enable more seamless first and last-mile integration and provide more competitive ultimate origin to destination journey times compared to private vehicles.
From Plan to delivery
Current status
Feasibility Study.
Five-year plan
Strategic Outline Business Case.
Indicative cost band (revenue/capital)
£60m - £70m capital cost with new services expected to be revenue positive or neutral in longer-term.
Delivery partners
Transport for the South East to lead development of Strategic Outline Business Case with input of Network Rail to lead delivery with support from Transport from the South East, East Sussex County Council, Kent County Council, Department for Transport, Local Authorities, train operating companies and private sector, e.g. housing developers.
Direct rail services between Seaford/Newhaven and London
LTP objective alignment
- Transport decarbonisation: Moderate alignment
- Local environment conservation: Moderate alignment
- Healthier lifestyles and communities: Moderate alignment
- Safer and accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Sustainable economic growth: Strong alignment
- Network resilience: Very strong alignment
Priority area alignment
- Decarbonisation: Moderate alignment
- Accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Customer experience: Strong alignment
- Integration: Very strong alignment
- Reliability and resilience: Very strong alignment
- Journey times: Very strong alignment
Scheme description
Strategic review of rail connectivity across East Sussex to identify potential quick wins. Could be delivered through timetable service enhancements which are not reliant on the delivery of infrastructure, and have minimal impacts and trade-offs with other services, such as delivering direct rail services between Seaford and Newhaven and London.
Scheme rationale
Delivering incremental enhancements may significantly improve rail connectivity for certain residents living in East Sussex. For example, providing a direct service between London, Newhaven, and Seaford could reduce journey times by removing the need to transfer at Lewes or Brighton. This would also provide sustainable connections to the ferry service from Newhaven to Dieppe which provides a connection to France for foot and vehicular passengers. This will provide a more compelling offer compared to private vehicles, supporting mode shift to rail, whilst improving accessibility for those for whom a transfer is more challenging. Furthermore, delivering targeted service enhancements, such as direct and more frequent seasonal summer services where there is higher demand to coastal towns, will also support wider socio-economic outcomes; including for staycations, and to local leisure and tourist attractions to support the local leisure and tourism economy in these locations.
Scheme enablers and interdependencies
- Delivering service enhancements on one route may impact on other routes which may need assessment as to which enhancements deliver greatest benefits.
- Complementary local bus and active travel initiatives along the route - to enable more seamless first and last-mile integration and provide more competitive origin to destination journey times compared to private vehicles.
From Plan to delivery
Current status
Feasibility Study.
Five-year plan
Strategic Outline Business Case.
Indicative cost band (revenue/capital)
Service changes and new services are expected to be revenue positive or neutral in longer-term.
Delivery partners
Transport for the South East and East Sussex County Council to lead development of feasibility study with input of Network Rail and local stakeholders.
Network Rail and train operating companies to lead delivery with support from Transport from the South East, East Sussex County Council, Department for transport and Local Authorities.
Brighton - Eastbourne - Hastings - Faster services
LTP objective alignment
- Transport decarbonisation: Moderate alignment
- Local environment conservation: Moderate alignment
- Healthier lifestyles and communities: Moderate alignment
- Safer and accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Sustainable economic growth: Very strong alignment
- Network resilience: Very strong alignment
Priority area alignment
- Decarbonisation: Moderate alignment
- Accessibility: Moderate alignment
- Customer experience: Moderate alignment
- Integration: Moderate alignment
- Reliability and resilience: Very strong alignment
- Journey times: Very strong alignment
Scheme description
A package of infrastructure interventions which increase line speeds on the East Coastway Line to enable faster services between Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings. These may include upgrades to track and signalling, as well as full barrier (to replace existing half-barrier) crossings, and the closure of level crossings to enable services to run at faster speeds. These may also include speeding up services through timetabling changes, such as configuring more express services to complement local stopping services.
Scheme rationale
This will reduce journey times between Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings. This improved connectivity between major centres along the south coast will support socio-economic outcomes through improved access to jobs and services for residents and visitors, and improved access to labour markets and agglomeration benefits for businesses, making these conurbations more attractive places to live and work. This will also support mode shift.
Scheme enablers and interdependencies
- Other rail services to Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne, Rye and Hastings – delivering faster and more frequent services on the East Coastway line - may add to the already existing platform capacity constraints at Brighton Station and require station enhancements.
- Local mass transit and active travel initiatives along the route - to enable more seamless first and last-mile integration and provide more competitive ultimate origin to destination journey times compared to private vehicles.
From Plan to delivery
Current status
Ambition (pre-feasibility).
Five-year plan
Feasibility Study.
Indicative cost band (revenue/capital)
£40m - £50m capital cost, service enhancements likely to be revenue positive or neutral.
Delivery partners
Transport for the South East to lead development of feasibility study with input from East Sussex County Council and Network Rail.
Network Rail to lead development towards a full business case and delivery with support from HS1 Ltd, Transport for the South East, East Sussex County Council, Department for Transport, Local Authorities and train operators.