Public Meeting to Focus on Reopening Railway Line to Horsham

Published on: 9 Apr, 2023
Updated on: 12 Apr, 2023

Those interested in the perennial suggestions to reopen the railway line from Guildford to Cranleigh and even on to Horsham and Shoreham, may like to attend a public meeting on the subject.

Hosted by the English Regional Transport Association (ERTA), it takes place on Saturday, April 15, 2pm to 4pm, at St Nicolas Church Hall, Bury Street, Guildford GU2 4AW.

Items on the agenda will be…

Better public transport for the Guildford area.

Re-open the local rail link to Horsham and Shoreham.

Keep options open and help inform traffic reduction strategies.

Join ERTA and help it do more and better with local inputs.

The ERTA is a voluntary membership-based, pro-public transport improvement association.

It says: “Railway line re-openings are right up our street in advocacy, campaigning and nurturing congenial agreement and resolution, bringing people together and making common cause.

“There should be a rolling programme of re-openings across the English regions akin to modernisation, electrification and station upgrades.”

More details from Richard Pill on 01234 330090. Email: richard.erta@gmail.com

See previous Letter: Trains, Not Trams, Buses or a Canal

And: Letter: I have Long Advocated Reopening the Guildford to Cranleigh Line

Also: Transport Matters: The Most Ill-judged Cut Of All

Responses to Public Meeting to Focus on Reopening Railway Line to Horsham

Ian Stronge Reply

April 10, 2023 at 11:20 am

Judging by the numbers riding bus 63 Horsham to Guildford, there isn’t much demand on this route. Or is there? Has anyone done a survey?

Would people travel to work? Would they travel to shop?

Surely Guildford shoppers hardly need leave the town, though they might visit Woking for variety. And Horsham shoppers would surely go to Crawley. I’m mystified by this proposal.
- Frank Phillipson Reply
  
  April 10, 2023 at 2:37 pm
  
  Mr Stronge does not seem to be aware of peak time congestion and delays on the A281 into Guildford from Bramley, Cranleigh and surrounding areas by workers and others who need to reach the town. Some of these will be commuters driving to Guildford or Woking to then use train services.
  
  I would suggest that the bus service is probably not much used as it is held up in the traffic jams that occur thus making it unreliable. A train service would not be subject to such road delays.
Bibhas Neogi Reply

April 12, 2023 at 7:18 pm

Some years ago I remember reading a report prepared by SCC’s consultant (Atkins? Arup?) that concluded there was not enough demand for public transport from Cranleigh.

Now with the increased number of houses in Cranleigh and in Dunsfold, SCC should consider carrying out a fresh study of the demand. Climate change and reduction of carbon emission from vehicles should also now be added reasons for carrying out a new study.
Ian Stronge Reply

April 12, 2023 at 11:52 pm

Road congestion indicates a desire to travel, but not necessarily along the proposed rail route.

How many will be onward train commuters? How many are driving to car parks near Guildford Station? I’m still interested to learn of any reliable survey that might justify a business case for the sort of money that would be needed for reopening the Horsham line, especially compared to other public transport options. And that’s before consideration of which public body is going to coordinate the several public and private interests that would have to get involved in delivering it… ideally in a joined-up way.

Better transport links don’t necessarily mean just rail links.
Sam Deeds Reply

April 24, 2023 at 5:32 pm

Like this will ever happen. And nor should it. It’s virtually the last place around to safely and quietly walk, run and cycle, especially for families and children.

Leave the Downs Link alone!