Meeting Note

Our ref 15242/MS/MT Date 3 May 2017 Present Phil Hutchinson - Govia Railway, Nigel Rankine - Bonnar Allan, Liam Herbert - Chelgate (PR), Chris Vaughan - Stilwell (Transport), Martin Taylor - Lichfields (Planning) Venue GTR, King's Cross Issued to As Above

Subject South Godstone and planned growth in Redhill-Tonbridge corridor

1.1 Nigel Rankine introduced Bonnar Allan, the team and the Bonnar Allan proposals for housing- led development within the Redhill-Tonbridge corridor including schemes at: a South Godstone; b Edenbridge; and c Leigh Combined these could deliver up-to c.25,000 new homes as an upper estimate, with South Godstone the most immediate prospect. Bonnar Allan provided information on the scale, size and emerging information for each. 1.2 Phil Hutchinson (Head of Strategic Planning for GTR) outlined current observations and position in respect of the Tonbridge-Redhill line: 1 The usage of Tonbridge to Redhill line is relatively low, in comparison to other lines and stations in the area, and there is plenty of capacity on existing trains and services. 2 Proposed timetabling changes for 2018, following completion of Thameslink Programme works, will set service frequency on line as half hourly Monday to Friday peak service and hourly service throughout rest of day, including weekends. Services will be 4 carriages. 3 Brighton main line is a constraint, with need for greater capacity in the Croydon area to release further increases in services. This could come forward, subject to funding from central Government, through Control Period 6: 2019-2024, with works nearing a decade to complete (due to need to phase and maintain an operational line throughout), but opening up the line into London (via Redhill) to allow more trains to be scheduled on the network.

1.3 In respect of proposed housing growth around stations along the line, including at Godstone, it was outlined by Phil Hutchinson: 1 There is immediate capacity on the line, with spare to accommodate growth; 2 If there is a need to increase capacity on the line in the future, there is opportunity to lengthen trains (assuming sufficient rolling stock is made available) and platforms in first instance before any increase in frequency is to be considered. 3 All of proposals combined could begin to support the case for further frequency increases on Tonbridge-Redhill line, but noting at Edenbridge the Uckfield Line (Edenbridge Town station) is more popular and there has been recently completed platform lengthening along that line increasing passenger capacity;

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4 In respect of increasing frequency, this could form part of franchise agreements, with opportunity for Bonnar Allan to engage with this through Department for Transport (DfT) franchising process; DfT set out invitations to tender, which are subject to wider consultation, which will set out the minimum service that is expected of franchise bidders . The current GTR franchise on this line ends in 2021 with typical franchise lengths of 7-10 years dependent on Government policy. 5 The DfT has recently launched a public consultation on the future Southeastern franchise commencing in December 2018 which is noted for seeking respondents views of a potential new route from Ashford to Reading (using the Redhill-Tonbridge line) forming part of fast and frequent London orbital services and relieving congestion on M20 and M25. Previously until 2008 there were direct trains on the route to Gatwick Airport however these trains were withdrawn due to poor patronage. It is unlikely that a case can be made for the re- introduction of such train services in the medium term. 6 Overall, the sorts of developments proposed by Bonnar Allan would help sustain the line in the future. As recent as 2008, considerations were made to withdraw all off peak train services due to poor patronage. Train services have been retained; however growth on the route has been very modest in recent years.

1.4 It was agreed as actions from the meeting: 1 Martin Taylor (Lichfields) would circulate note of meeting to be agreed; 2 Phil Hutchinson would send over details of: a Usage statistics for the line and proposals for 2018 timetabling changes; b Contact details for relevant GTR person to deal with in respect of station developments; 3 Phil Hutchinson would prepare a letter suitable for sharing with Tandridge District Council setting out the GTRs position in respect of the existing position/capacity on the line, opportunities for increased capacity/frequency and how the proposed developments could support/enhance the viability of the line and services (or similar).

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