Rother council leader welcomes high speed rail report

Representatives from East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council have all given their thoughts on the report released today (Friday, October 9).

The councils commissioned the report to evaluate the economic benefits of the HS1 line from London to Ashford being extended to Bexhill via Rye and Hastings.

Cllr Carl Maynard believes the Javelin service would be hugely beneficial to the district and is looking forward to the next stage.

“This report makes a great business case for the extension of the high speed rail network to Bexhill, Hastings and Rye and we welcome it.

“Good transport links are vital for Rother’s economy and at the heart of our attempts to improve the infrastructure in the district.

“The economic case evidences that high speed rail will offer better connections to London and Europe and increase business investment and growth, thus increasing the economic benefits and attractiveness of the area.

“The report also evidences the benefit to residents travelling out of the district for work, and how the high speed rail will open up new markets of visitors coming into the area.

“The positive impact this would have on the economy in the district is obvious in the consultant’s report and hugely important, and we now await Network Rail’s report, which we believe should help support the case for high speed rail.”

The report claims the service would be worth more than £350million over the next 30 years.

The county council’s lead member for economy Rupert Simmons said: “We are delighted with this report, which makes an overwhelming case for the extension of the high speed rail line into East Sussex.

“While the business case is greater than we could have imagined, this is the first step and we will still have to wait for Network Rail’s report on the cost and feasibility of extending the high speed rail line.

“This is about improving the economy and increasing the number of jobs in Hastings and Bexhill by investing in important infrastructure.

“As well as encouraging a buoyant job market, reducing the journey time to London by 30 minutes will help to encourage inward investment in the county and improve accessibility for residents and businesses alike.

“This, on top of the investment being made in the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road and other infrastructure to unlock employment development in the area, will help us create and support a thriving economy in East Sussex.”

The next step is for Network Rail and the government to decide whether or not to implement the proposal.

High speed rail ‘game changer’ for 1066 country

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter Text to display

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.