Two years for BML upgrade

Rail Minister Paul Maynard expects the next phase of the Brighton Main Line (BML) upgrade to take around two years to complete.

Peter Kyle (Labour, Hove) had submitted a Commons Written Question asking what further work the Department for Transport had agreed should be undertaken relating to Network Rail’s plans to upgrade the BML in the Croydon area, and what the estimated time would be to complete the work.

Maynard replied on March 16: “My Department is working closely with Network Rail on the next phase of development of the Brighton Main Line upgrade programme. This involves undertaking further detailed engineering design and planning work, and preparation of an Outline Business Case. Subject to available funding, and confirmation of an agreed programme of activity, we expect this will take around two years.”