Rail users win five year fight to get more stops

Services ground to a halt with the introduction of the Ashford to Brighton express service which say stops to stations like Three Oaks and Winchelsea cut to just two a day – early in the morning and last thing at night.

Many residents, who relied on trains to get to shops at Rye and Hastings, were left cut-off and isolated.

It also affected Rye pupils who were unable to get the train to and from school.

Now Southern have announced that a two hourly service will be restored in December.

It is a great victory for rail action group THWART, which has been campaigning tirelessly for a better service.

The group was led by Monika Betson, from Three Oaks, and John Spencer, of Winchelsea.

They said: "We are delighted with the news.

"The railways are such a vital lifeline to rural communities. We can now look forward to encouraging residents, school and college students to use the restored service.

"Equally we hope that walkers, bikers and tourism in general will support and benefit from our improved rail links."

They praised Rye MP Michael Foster for supporting their efforts and said: "In 2005 when we started our campaign we asked Michael Foster for his help.

"He has come up trumps and given us unstinting support for our campaign.

"He has amongst other things, helped arrange meetings with Southern and a number of different Transport ministers, none more vital than a recent session with Lord Adonis. He deserves our thanks for a job well done.

"We also wish to thank all those who have supported us over the years whether it be by writing, attending meetings or helping maintain our stations both of which have now been adopted by our local communities or joined Southern's Station Partnership scheme.

"And last but not least, thank you to Southern for listening to us."

Alex Foulds, Southern's Development Director, said: "During the East Coastway timetable consultation there was a lot of excitement from the residents of Winchelsea and Three Oaks about the proposed service improvements to their stations. We were keen that, although overall the proposals were rejected following the public consultation, we would still look to give these communities a better service.

"When this improved service is introduced in December we hope people will make use of it as a direct link to Brighton and Ashford and other communities along the East Coastway. We will obviously monitor the new services to gather information on passenger numbers and the type of journeys being made."

Michael Foster said: "I am delighted that my constituents in these communities will finally get a regular train service. I know there was disappointment when the full East Coastway timetable proposals were turned down, and I pressed Southern to deliver on their promise to try to find a way to still provide Winchelsea and Three Oaks with their improvements.

"They have now done that, and now it is up to people to use the service we have campaigned for."

Detailed timings of the new service will be published in the next few months.