Crossrail 2 could go to Dorking and should extend to Woking

Crossrail 2 could go to Dorking and should extend to Woking.

Those are two key findings of a study for the county council examining ways to get the maximum benefit for Surrey’s businesses and commuters from the proposed railway.

Plans for the cross-London line currently take in Shepperton, Epsom, Hampton Court, Chessington South and Surbiton stations on its southern tip.

With Transport for London’s latest Crossrail 2 consultation closing today, the report reveals:

• Up to 17 minutes would be cut from a journey to central London if Crossrail 2’s Epsom line is extended to Dorking
• Stretching the line from Surbiton to Woking would cut journey times by up to six minutes at less well-served stations on the route like West Byfleet, Weybridge and Walton-on-Thames
• Overcrowding would be cut by freeing up space on the South West Mainline tracks for up to seven extra trains an hour.

Surrey County Council’s deputy leader Peter Martin said: “Crossrail 2 is vital for commuters and businesses – not only will the planned railway reduce overcrowding, it will boost the economy in Surrey, London and way beyond.

“With four Surrey train services among the top 10 most overcrowded and more than 130,000 people already travelling into London daily from the county, we will use this study to do all we can to ensure the county’s rail network keeps pace with rising passenger demand and economic growth.”

The report’s findings, which can be downloaded here, form the basis of the council’s response to the consultation on the next steps for the project.

They show a “strong evidence base” for supporting a Crossrail 2 route serving stations to Woking and “potentially a case” for extending the railway from Epsom to Dorking.

Two trains from Woking were among the four Surrey services named among the most overcrowded in England and Wales by the Department for Transport.

Below is a table comparing Crossrail 2 and current journey times in minutes.