Councillors calling for Balham extension to Gatwick Airport services (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wandsworth councillors calling for Balham extension to Gatwick Airport rail services

3:36pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News

Wandsworth councillors are calling for rail services between central London and Gatwick Airport to stop at Balham Station.

The move would enable passengers to avoid heavy congestion at Victoria, Clapham Junction and London Bridge and would create a new link between Gatwick and the Northern Line.

The proposed timetable change could vastly reduce journey times to the airport for residents in Balham and Tooting and would be a welcome boost for many businesses.

They believe the Government's plan to combine the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern rail franchise presents a new opportunity to improve access to the airport.

They also want the Gatwick Express to include a stop at Clapham Junction - this would enhance the station's effectiveness as south London 's interchange hub.

Councillor Russell King, the council's transport spokesman, said: "Introducing a stop at Balham is a simple, inexpensive and common sense step.

"It would ease congestion at some of London 's busiest stations, provide a shortcut to the airport for south Londoners and create a vital new link to the Northern Line.

"If we want to ease congestion in Zone One we have to give people the opportunity to reach our airports without heading through a central terminus."

Find out more at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/travelchoices .

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