RAIL SERVICE FEARS

Gregory Barker MP met Charles Horton, new boss of South Eastern Trains to ask for a guarantee local services on the Hastings to Charing Cross line will be kept intact ahead of a forthcoming timetabling review.

Mr Barker was joined by Rother District councillor Ian Jenkins, county councillor Matthew Lock and rail action group chairman Brian Hord at the meeting.

Speaking afterwards Mr Barker said: 'I was pleased that the MD took the trouble to come and meet me to discuss the future of our railway service.

'However, the long term threat to the stopping service at local stations still remains.

'My next step is to lead a delegation to the Trains Minister, Derek Twigg MP, to make it clear how damaging local cuts will be to the area.

'That said, Charles Horton took on board my concerns about station parking and the importance of local connections to London-bound services.

'I will do by best to make sure that these are taken into proper consideration before the final decisions on the future of the line are made.'