The Sussex Route Utilisation Strategy (Sussex RUS) is a Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), published by Network Rail (NR) in January 2010. It was the fourteenth RUS to be completed, not counting the partially completed Network RUS. By default, RUSs are established by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) unless the latter objects within 60 days, and the ORR have confirmed no objection to the establishment of the Sussex RUS.
The scope of the Sussex RUS is largely the main line, with branches, connecting Brighton, Redhill, Croydon and central London, but also includes the so-called 'Coastway' lines. Most trains are operated by Southern, with the remainder run by First Capital Connect and First Great Western.
The recommendations are grouped into each strategic routes, and, as has become customary with RUSs, provide short-term (to end of Control Period 4, CP4, March 2014), medium-term (CP5, 2019) and some long-term (thereafter) solutions.
Contingent projects
East London Line Extension
Inner suburban services through the London end of the geographical area will be affected by the completion of the East London Line Extension in May 2010. Though these services themselves were covered by the South London RUS, there will be some consequential effects on timetabling of services covered by the Sussex RUS.
Thameslink
This is the largest single programme affecting the RUS area, though in reality it comprises a significant number of related projects. The key objective is eventually to increase the frequency and length of the trains which pass between north and south London, and therefore has much wider scope than the Sussex RUS area. It includes very major works at Blackfriars and Farringdon, currently under way as at March 2010, and at London Bridge and its environs, after the 2012 Olympic Games. It will largely separate train services through London Bridge to/from Charing Cross-bound from those to/from Blackfriars. This programme will cause a number of sequential recasts of services affecting the Sussex RUS area.
The programme is divided into three stages: Key Output 0, complete Key Output 1, 2009–2011 Key Output 2, 2012-2018
Train lengthening under the Thameslink Programme will affect a limited number of stations.
In general, the works will have the greatest impact on suburban routes rather than the longer-distance routes featuring in the Sussex RUS area.
Gaps and options
The RUS summarises gaps in the following groups: Gap A - between passenger demand and capacity in the peaks into London Gap B - between passenger demand and capacity in the peaks on the West and East Coastway routes Gap C - between passenger demand and capacity on key regional links Gap D - between existing and desired journey times on key regional links Gap E - accessing the rail network Gap F - achieving performance targets on an increasingly busy railway Gap G - between passenger demand at the weekend and in the evening and services provided Gap H - between demand and capacity for freight services
Interventions to address these gaps are themselves divided into 16 options.
Unless otherwise stated the peak-hour trains comprise those arriving in London between 7 and 10am (high peak between 8 and 9) and leaving between 4 and 7pm (high peak between 5 and 6); the hours on either side of the high peak are known as the shoulder peak.
Gap A (peak demand and network capacity) and Options 1 through 3, with sub-options Gap A concerns the danger of future overcrowding during the peak hours, and possible interventions to alleviate this problem on various routes (Redhill corridor, Tattenham Corner/Caterham routes, and Brighton Main line).
Option 1 increased capacity in the peaks on the Redhill corridor; recommended: 1.1 lengthening of high-peak trains by late CP4 or during CP5 (partly included in recent franchise) 1.2 in CP5, one extra high-peak train Option 2 increased capacity in the peaks on the Tattenham Corner, Caterham and Uckfield routes; recommended for CP5: 2.1 lengthening of high peak Tattenham Corner/caterham services to/from London termini (Victoria and London Bridge) 2.2 lengthening of peak Uckfield services to/from London Bridge to 8-car 2.3 lengthening of high-peak Uckfield services to/from London Bridge to 10-car Option 3 increased capacity in the peaks between Brighton Main line and Victoria; recommended: 3.1 lengthening four shoulder peak services to 12-car (CP5) 3.2 an additional morning peak hourly service, probably from Brighton (CP5) 3.3 adding stops at Clapham Junction in at least two high-peak Gatwick Express services (CP4 or early CP5)