Minstral25
Established Member
What problem does a crossover at Merstham solve? Yes, it would allow faster services from Redhill and Reigate but with the best will in the world there is only ever going to be a half hourly 'fast' service northbound from Redhill and is the expenditure really going to pass a cost benefit analysis when you could, with better timetabling and investment on the junction at South Croydon, accommodate the entire service from Redhill on the slow lines.
Capacity from Gatwick and stations further south is maximised by running all services on the Quarry line without the complication of any services joining the fast line between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon.
Furthermore, a crossover south of Merstham means that the trains using it can't stop at Coulsdon South or Merstham and the capacity at those stations is just as acute an issue as it is at Redhill.
Redhill/Reigate generates a lot of traffic - just under 10% of the BML south of East Croydon for the route as a whole - and is a problem that needs a solution. The amount of local users from Redhill/Reigate driving to Oxted and Dorking for cheaper and better services is increasing. At the same time Redhill/Reigate is growing and becoming a bigger destination for passengers as well. New Cinema, Offices and greater shopping in next 3/4 years will increase the footfall through the stations.
The other weakness in the timetable is the lack of regular Brighton service from Redhill. As a commuter who goes both north and south from Redhill now, I have been surprised by the volume of commuters heading to Brighton and the poor connections at Gatwick - which this timetable does not really address.
To compensate and allow for better connections at Three Bridges was why the Bedford services were extended from Gatwick but I am not sure if that will be a solution.