Political opinion with Andrew Griffith MP: Direct commuter trains are back!

Many residents will be aware that the direct commuter trains between Littlehampton and London Bridge are back! I campaigned to get them reinstated after they were withdrawn earlier in the year and I was glad that they returned at the start of October. Having to change trains was a hinderance for those trying to get to the City and meant another connection to miss if other trains were late. It also meant many more passengers squeezing onto adjacent Victoria peak services that were already busy.

 However, away from the London to Brighton corridor, our rail services are still fragile and not where they should be. Rolling stock is showing its age, and the limited length of timetabled services makes it impossible to use the train to catch an early morning flight from Gatwick or difficult to get home after an evening out in London. Station parking is an expensive extra cost.

 Southern Rail was nationalised by the government at the end of May. Ministers talked about this change leading to improved services, but the official statistics show that they actually got worse with fewer trains on time in the period following nationalisation than immediately before. Fully one quarter of trains are now officially late. It is early days, but we need tangible improvements not political slogans.

 Given that Ministers are now running the railways, I’d like to hear your own views well local train services. Please take a couple of minutes to fill in my short rail survey at: https://bit.ly/RailSurveryASD

 On Remembrance Sunday and again on Armistice Day, communities across West Sussex gathered at war memorials to remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country and to protect the liberties we enjoy today. I was able to join local ceremonies including those in Midhurst and Petworth as well as the national service in the Royal Albert Hall in the presence of Their Majesties The King and Queen. My thanks to the Royal British Legion. The Act of Remembrance should make us vigilant about how easily hatred can take hold today, particularly some of the things posted online.