New trains: Why the delay

NEW high-tech trains which were due to arrive at platforms in Newhaven and Seaford in August have already been delayed by two months.

And it could be yet another month before the rolling programme of replacing old slam-door carriages, some of which are up to 40 years old, starts.

Train operator South Central initially promised the new trains in August. However, technical faults were found with the carriages' automatic doors and a new start date of October was pencilled in.

But now South Central has told the Express it has not been able to keep to this timetable either after problems continued during trial runs. It also has to devise a system to maintain and repair the new trains.

A spokeswoman said test runs between Brighton and Worthing had been carried out.

'We have been running the trains as test units and sometimes modifications need to be done before we enter them into service.'

She added: 'It has not happened as quickly as we had hoped.'

Late autumn was the only indication she could give as to when the trains would be up-and-running.

MP Norman Baker has campaigned for improvements to train services in his Lewes constituency. He feared the failed trials did not bode well for rail users.

'At present we are relying on rolling stock from the Beatles era and it does not instil a lot of confidence in the new rolling stock that it is having to go for further tests.

'I am disappointed the new carriages have been delayed but at least they are not cancelled.'

The new Electrostar trains will run alongside the old slam door trains until they are all replaced in 2004. The new carriages have air conditioning, electronic information displays and tables.