County council to choose which new railway station to back

The track just outside of Horsham Railway Station

Two developers have put forward proposals for stations north of Horsham and west of Bewbush but it is believed that Network Rail would only allow one to be built.

Crest are already building 2,500 homes at Kilnwood Vale and their long-term plans include a station, but Liberty Property Trust have ‘safeguarded’ land for a parkway station as part of its 2,500-home vision for North Horsham.

Now both developers and Horsham District Council have called on the county council to express a preference as the local transport authority.

WSCC’s forward plan of key decisions reads: “Following discussions with Network Rail, it is understood that only one new station will be permitted by the rail industry between the existing Littlehaven and Ifield stations due to the impact that proposals would have on services.

“The decision to approve a new station would rest with the Secretary of State who may request the county council’s views regarding the proposals.

“Therefore, an assessment of the proposals is being undertaken by assessing summary evidence for each station provided by the promoters, considering how proposals support WSCC Objectives and by undertaking a stakeholder engagement exercise to understand stakeholder views.

“Following this assessment the cabinet member for highways and transport will be asked to form a view regarding a new railway station to the North of Horsham.”

A spokesperson for Network Rail added: “No decision has yet been made as to where the new station will be built.”

“We are currently working with developers and local authorities to explore a number of options between Horsham and Crawley.”

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