Train services saved

There was jubilation from local campaigners last month when it appeared that victory had been won.

But the official statement stopped short of outright confirmation.

On Tuesday the Minister announced that the controversial plan to make Bexhill and Hastings passengers change trains at Eastbourne had been dropped.

The Government announcement said the decision follows "considerable improvement in rail performance and the introduction of over 700 new trains on the Southern franchise.

"In five years performance on the franchise as a whole has improved by 12%. Now almost nine out of ten trains are running on time."

In February 2006 the Department for Transport published its Route Utilisation Strategy for the Brighton Main Line.

It is designed to improve journeys on the route and make sure best use is made out of the current network.

One proposal in the Strategy was to truncate London to Hastings / Bexhill services at Eastbourne. This was because there was evidence that the late running of those services was having a detrimental impact on the punctuality of other mainline trains.

However, following the introduction of the new "Electrostar" trains, performance on the service has improved considerably and there is now no need to implement the proposal.

Derek Twigg said: "A marked improvement in performance is being achieved generally on our railways.

"The Government is investing record amounts on the railway and over 4,000 trains and carriages have been replaced, including all those on services running into London from the South Coast.

"This is paying handsome dividend and is allowing us to make even better use of the rail network.

"It is entirely right that we should review decisions in the light of changed circumstances and I am delighted that there is now no need to curtail these services".

Town MP Greg Barker, who led the campaign to save the rail link, said: "The continuation of a direct rail link from Bexhill to London is vital if the town is to successfully carry through its regeneration programme in the future.

"It is also important for people wanting to travel by train to Gatwick Airport and East Croydon as well those using local services along the coast.

"I am glad that the Minister finally backed down and listened to the people that actually use the train services in our area.

"However, we must keep up the pressure on government to ensure we continue to have good transport links to London."