Decision Taken By: CABINET MEMBER FOR Planning and Transportation
Decision No: D090120MEM
Date: 29th July 2009
Decision(s) and Reason(s)
Kent Route Utilisation Strategy
Minutes
Consideration was given to an officer level response to Network Rail's consultation on the Draft Kent Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) which had been submitted by the 23 July deadline for comment.
It was noted that Network Rail was also undertaking a public consultation on the Sussex RUS and it was considered that strong representations should be made on the need to preserve and enhance services on the Tonbridge/Redhill line and, if possible, to reinstate the direct Gatwick connection.
Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation resolved that:
1) the response to the Kent Route Utilisation Strategy set out in Annex 1 to the report be endorsed subject to the addition of further comments emphasising:
(i) the potential benefits of an orbital system for Kent;
(ii) the impact of operational decisions (such as the Ebbsfleet alternative service) on pricing and the capacity of the local economy to bear it;
(iii) the potentially detrimental effect on passenger services of a significant increase of freight on the Maidstone East and other lines; and
2) the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure be invited to submit a response to the Sussex RUS setting out the need to preserve and enhance services on the Tonbridge/Redhill line.
Reasons: As set out in the report submitted to the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 29 July 2009.
Signed M Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation)
Signed Leader: M Worrall
Signed Chief Executive: D Hughes
Date of Publication: 31 July 2009
This decision will come into force and may then be implemented on the expiry of 5 working days after publication unless it is called in.