Stay of execution for Gatwick Express

Controversial plans to axe the high-speed Gatwick Express link could now be shelved, airport chiefs believe.

The future of the service - which travels non-stop between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport - was in jeopardy after the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) argued it should be replaced by stopping trains.

But, following a meeting with the department for transport (DfT), airport bosses now believe the authorities have had a change of heart.

The board of airline representatives' head Mike Carrivick, who was present at the meeting, said: "We got the impression there has been a rethink about the Gatwick Express and we are now a bit more hopeful it might stay in place.

"We believe it is a big mistake to take away a direct rail link at a time when air passenger numbers are growing."

A spokesperson for the DfT – which has recently taken over the SRA's responsibilities – admitted in The Times that it was considering its options.

The SRA had originally proposed the link be scrapped to ease over-crowding on the London to Brighton line.

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