Rail talks success

TOP level discussions on the upgrading of Newhaven rail services have been heralded as a success by MP Norman Baker.

The MP said Monday's meeting at the Denton Island Training and Business Centre had 'got the wheels moving and changed the signal from red to green'.

Brought together for the first time were all elements of the rail industry, including train operator South Central, the Strategic Rail Authority, Railtrack, the Department for Transport, the Government Office for the South-East and representatives of county, district and town councils plus local interest groups.

Objectives set out by the MP were welcomed. These included:

l The creation of a modern station to replace the existing three, with parking, shops, caf and links to other public transport and ferries;

l Action to boost freight movements through the port using rail.

However, there was a more cautious response from the rail industry to the restoration of the Lewes-Uckfield line, which would reinstate regular direct services from Seaford and Newhaven to London.

It was agreed to set up a group, led by East Sussex County Council, to take these schemes forward and examine more closely possible funding.

Mr Baker said: 'It was something of an achievement to get everybody in one room at the same time. It then became clear, as I thought it would, that there was a good measure of support for the objectives I set out. The creation of a task group involving all the key players now gives us the opportunity to make some real progress. We must not lose the momentum. I am particularly grateful to the County Council for offering to take the lead on this project.'