The Three Bridges traincare facility in Crawley, West Sussex, was opened today by Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary. It marks a significant landmark in the Thameslink Project.
Thameslink is due to be finished in 2018, and will change the face of the travel network in the South East, bringing new trains, greater capacity, better connectivity and improved stations.
The depot will store and maintain the 1,140-carriage fleet for the enlarged Thameslink, which will run from Bedford, Cambridge, Peterborough and Brighton, Horsham, Gatwick, Maidstone and Sevenoaks.
Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary said:
Our plan for passengers is delivering real improvements for those who use our Thameslink services.
The opening of this state-of-the-art facility is a major milestone and paves the way for an impressive new fleet of hi-tech trains to come into service from spring next year.
The improvements will transform rail travel for millions of passengers, with better journeys on fantastic new Class 700 trains, improved connections and upgraded stations.
The programme is also creating thousands of jobs across the country.
The Thameslink project is part of a record-breaking investment in Britains railways, and the Thameslink is an important part of it.
McLoughlin also visited East Croydon to see the improvements taking place at Croydon Station. His site visits were made as the terms of reference for the LondonSouth Coast Rail Corridor Study were published by the government. The study considers scenarios for improving capacity and relieving the Brighton Main Line.
The study will be completed by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff and will look at existing proposals to improve the line, including improvements to the existing Brighton Main Line and building a new link by reopening the Lewes-Uckfield line, among others. The findings from this study will inform future plans.
