Fresh calls for Arundel chord made

The need for the Arundel chord, a direct link from the town to the Arun Valley line,­ was re­inforced by councillors.

Arun Distict Council’s local plan sub­-committee has agreed to call for the additional rail line to be included in the council’s response to Network Rail’s latest strategy for Sussex.

Councillor Ricky Bower, the planning head of the council, said the case for the chord should be strongly pursued to make journeys to the capital quicker.

“There are some glaring omissions in the Network Rail document,” he said. “The issue of the Arundel Chord is a major deficiency because it’s in the Coast to Capital economic strategy plan. It’s also in the West Sussex County Council strategic planning documents. It’s also in our local plan.

“I’m quite annoyed that Network Rail have done a business case on the Arundel Chord which to my mind is quite flawed.”

The chord would enable trains travelling south beyond Arundel to turn left and provide direct services to stations like Angmering and Worthing.

The railway owner had only addressed journey times from Brighton to Horsham, Mr Bower said.

Councillor Roger Nash agreed with Mr Bower. “It’s something a lot of people have been talking about for a long, long time. It’s a project which should come to fruition as soon as possible if the money is available.”