Poor train service ‘hits Winchelsea’s tourism’

TOURISM in the Rye area is being hit by train operator Southern’s failure to provide Sunday services at Winchelsea station a meeting of Rother Transport Action Group was told on Tuesday.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th May 2012, 09:42 BST

John Spencer, of Three Oaks and Winchelsea Action for Rail Transport, said the ancient town and member of the Cinque Ports had seen Sunday services removed some years ago. He told RTAG’s meeting in Bexhill: “If Southern can’t afford a 90-second stop at Winchelsea for its Sunday trains on the Marshlink line it means we’re losing tourism.”

Three Oaks, on the same line, is also devoid of stopping trains on Sundays, even though services between Hastings and Ashford run through it.

Derrick Coffee, of the Campaign for Better Transport East Sussex, said: “To have two stations on footpaths enjoying a national profile and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and for people not to be able to access them by train on Sundays, is unacceptable.”