The House of Commons Transport Select Committee has produced an interesting report looking at options for the railways over the next thirty years given the objectives to phase out diesel trains by 2040 and to enable railways to be carbon neutral by 2050.
It seems that there will be a need to start electrifying non electrified track from now if targets are to met and clearly this has implications for the Marsh Link which with the Uckfield Branch is one of only two non electrified lines in our region.
The Report expresses some doubt that given the current technology that battery powered or hydrogen powered trains will be capable of operating High Speed services thus not helping MLAGs case for direct HS services to London from Rye. So the question remains whether the only option is to electrify the line and if so whether using overhead cables or third rail. Or maybe to accept slower services which could be powered by battery.
The full Report may be accessed below: