BID TO IMPROVE RAIL SERVICE

LEWES MP Norman Baker has used a parliamentary question in Commons to call for reduced rail journey times between Polegate, Lewes and London.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Apr 2006, 11:02 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:53 BST

Replying to Mr Baker on behalf of the Government, Under-Secretary of State for Transport Derek Twigg, promised some reduction in journey times as a result of the measures already outlined in a recently published strategy.

The strategy has eliminated the practice of splitting and joining trains at Haywards Heath and has increased the number of evening services to Mr Baker's constituency during the summer months.

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Said Mr Baker: 'I welcome the measures contained within the strategy and am sure that they will make the journey more convenient for both commuters and indeed occasional customers who aren't familiar with the system and have in the past often been confused by the practice of splitting trains.

'That said, there is still considerable slack in the system and clear room for a significant reduction to journey times.

'The Government needs to do better if they are to be successful in encouraging people to leave the car at home and use the train.

'I believe we could knock 10 minutes off the journey time to London, at least partly as a direct result of the abandonment of splitting and joining, and I urge the Government to work with Southern to bring this faster service about in time for when the next timetable is published.'

Related topics:Norman BakerBIDLondonPolegateGovernment