A TRAIN line could be built through Addiscombe and South Croydon if ambitious new plans are realised.

The bold project proposes a new railway route through Croydon, much of which would run parallel with the recently-finished East London Line extension.

The Direct London Link would offer non-stop or limited stop commuter services into London Bridge from Brighton and is part of a project called the Brighton Main Line 2 (BML2).

This study, which has been handed to Network Rail by a transport pressure group, aims to provide a solution to overcrowding at East Croydon station, which the rail operator admits will be at full capacity by 2020.

However, its wide-ranging and grand proposals have been branded as "unrealistic" and "a step too far".

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell says more achievable plans are already in place to tackle congestion on the Brighton to London route.

"A new line running through Croydon would be highly ambitious and extremely expensive," he said.

"There is a definite need to increase capacity and to address three pinch points (bottlenecks) on the line; the Selhurst Junction, East Croydon station and a small section of track nearer to Brighton.

"While in principle I agree with what this study is trying to achieve, it's simply not realistic. There has got to be a more cost-efficient way than building a completely new line."

The BML2 project proposes that the Direct London Link would reopen the rail route between Sanderstead and Elmers End, running through South Croydon and Addiscombe.

It would involve the renewal of derelict track and the demolition of some existing houses on the site of the former Coombe Road station by Lloyd Park.

It would also see trains sharing a two-mile stretch of tram track north of the tunnels near Sandilands tram stop and necessitate the reconstruction of a bridge over Addiscombe Road which would be expanded to four tracks in order for it be able to take trains and trams simultaneously.

The project manager, Brian Hart, also suggests the construction of a huge concrete viaduct.

Trams would travel down from it to serve Addiscombe tram stop before ascending back up to travel alongside trains again.

Larcombe Close, off Coombe Road, would be directly affected if the plans come to fruition.

Resident Muna Wang, 28, says any attempt to build the line would be "extremely unwelcome".

She explained: "We spent a lot of money moving into an area which is a pleasant and quiet place to live.

"Many of our elderly neighbours have done the same. An unnecessary railway line will destroy everything we love about the area."

Chris Sciberras, Croydon Green Party's transport spokesman, has branded the scheme "completely crazy".

He said: "Building a new mainline route through Addiscombe is a step too far as it would blight the lives of residents."