Rail action groups' pleased as train operator back-tracks

The East Sussex Rail Alliance (ESRA), a consortium of groups representing rail passengers across the County, welcomed Southern Rail's decision that controversial proposals to change the shape of local rail services from December will not now be implemented.

The decision means that a seven-day direct service between Brighton and Ashford is retained.

The proposal to split the Coastway service at Eastbourne has been shelved following ESRA's recent campaign, and disabled passengers will not now have to change at Hampden Park or suffer long connection times at Eastbourne.

Hugh Sharpe of ESRA said:

"While there were many positives in the proposals there were also

many drawbacks, and these far out-weighed the benefits.

"Southern will also be maintaining a second through service each hour between Brighton and Ore providing an all-day through service from Brighton to local stations between Eastbourne and Bexhill.

"We were also concerned that journey times to Victoria from Hastings and Bexhill would have been lengthened under the proposals, and we are also pleased that Southern has also recognised the significance of the service across Romney Marsh to connect with Eurostar at Ashford."

However, a widely-supported proposal to restore regular services to small stations at Winchelsea and Three Oaks can still be implemented within the existing timetable.

At a recent Stakeholder meeting held at Gatwick, Southern confirmed that although the major changes affecting the service east of Lewes would not go ahead, the suburban Class 313 stock would still be used on Brighton-Lewes/Seaford shuttle service, and many of those carriages would not be refurbished until late this year.

These trains lack toilets and air-conditioning, are slower than existing rolling stock and have a top speed of 75mph against the 100mph top speed of more recent trains.

Andrew Leach of ESRA said: "The railway is important to the local economy and the service needs to be as attractive as possible, so the news about the introduction of Class 313 is disappointing.

"We recognise that the 313s offer a quick solution to overcrowding, but the downside is that passengers' journey experience will definitely be worse than they are used to.

"However it's really good that Southern have accepted the large number of objections to their proposals.

"Too many times consultation is not consultation at all, and we are delighted that in this instance Southern have listened to their customers and local authorities."

Bexhill Rail Action Group, East Coastway Commuters Group based in Eastbourne, the St Leonards & Hastings Rail Improvement Programme, and the Marshlink Action Group campaign for better services along the coast and into London.

They are founder members of the new East Sussex Rail Alliance, an umbrella group linking organisations and pressure groups throughout the county.

Visit the website at: www.eastsussexrail.org.uk