The number of trains running to Belmont is set to double after Sutton Council secured a £14.1 million cash injection from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The investment has been awarded to unlock the full potential of the London Cancer Hub, the world-leading life sciences campus that is being developed in Belmont and is poised to create 13,000 jobs and £1.2 billion each year for the UK economy.
The money will be used to improve rail services at Belmont, an area which has been poorly served by public transport until now. This will enable train services to double from two to four trains an hour, with additional direct services between Belmont and London Victoria. Belmont station will also be improved with step-free access, better wayfinding signage and new walking and cycling routes to the London Cancer Hub.
Better public transport is key to delivering the huge health and employment benefits of the London Cancer Hub. The major regeneration project is set to bring unprecedented investment to Sutton and tackle health inequalities nationwide by accelerating life-saving cancer research and innovation.
The win is a welcome boost for Sutton’s residents and businesses as the Council continues to call for better public transport across the borough.
Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said:
“I’m delighted the government has awarded us Levelling Up Funding and backed our plan to make Sutton a more connected borough.
“I’d like to thank our partners, The Royal Marsden, Institute of Cancer Research, the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and Harris Academy Sutton who backed our cross party bid from the start.
“It’s a step in the right direction for Sutton residents, who for decades have received the least transport investment per person in London.
“Alongside celebrating this brilliant win, we’ll continue to fight for Sutton’s fair share of public transport investment, and I now repeat my call to the Mayor of London to contact me to discuss how he can help to make Sutton a better connected borough and close the transport gap between inner and outer London.”
A summary of the Council’s successful Levelling Up Fund bid is available online.
