Surrey's rail network needs 'urgent' investment

Calls have been made for extra investment in the South East's 'overcrowded' rail network.

Surrey County Council said money was needed for more trains, longer station platforms and upgraded infrastructure such as new signal technology.

Last year, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said overcrowding on rush-hour trains in London and the South East was getting worse.

The government says it is looking at increasing rail capacity in Surrey.

'Already overcrowded'

In a letter to the Transport Secretary Justine Greening, the Conservative-run council said more trains and less congestion would stimulate growth and create jobs.

Councillor John Furey, the cabinet member for transport, called for more trains on the North Downs line between Reading and Gatwick Airport, as well as improved rail access to Heathrow Airport.

He said: "Surrey's trains are already overcrowded and they will become more so as the demand for rail travel increases in the coming years.

"We need to reduce bottlenecks and build more platforms at key junctions such as Guildford or Woking.

"Good transport links are vital to the economic recovery."