Political opinion with Mims Davies MP: Our communities deserve a railway service they can rely on

We had the Adam Dabell Memorial Cup at EG FC for the 22nd time remembering this much missed local young man with the annual Football match between Sackville and Imberhorne schools. There where goals a plenty and Imberhorne took the trophy in very heavy rain. Lots of pictures are on my social media - please do donate to this vital cause if you can which highlights sadly 12 deaths weekly of young people due to undiagnosed heart conditions.

I’ve launched my Official Parliamentary Petition calling for vast improvements to the Uckfield Line - our local communities deserve a railway service they can actually rely on. This issue has been huge in my inbox and rail travellers have been at their wits end at events and surgeries I have held.

My constituents continue to experience far too many delays and disruption, while outdated infrastructure and limited services are making travelling more difficult and stressful than it needs to be.

I’ll be presenting the official petition with local wet signatures in Parliament later this year. The below online petition provides another way for people to show their support, with the number of online signatures also referred to when I present the petition to Parliament – please sign here and share with friends, family, and fellow passengers - https://www.mimsdavies.org.uk/petition-upgrade-infrastructure-improve-service-reliability-increase-frequency-services-and-support

Every signature helps demonstrate the strength of feeling across our communities. By coming together, we can make sure passengers’ voices are heard and keep the case for a better railway firmly on the agenda.

If you follow me on Facebook, you will have seen I’ve been regularly posting updates regarding our ongoing precarious water situation here in EGU. Water is, of course, one of our most precious, and currently very, very expensive resources after the scorching summer the reservoir levels are perilous in Ardingly in my constituency and bountiful levels stuck in Weir Wood close to East Grinstead and Forest Row due to infrastructure and investment failings.

Please watch my personal update on my page from our time with the Water Minister and all involved. This is following the ‘Severe Drought’ notice confirmed for our area. As I write, despite a very wet weekend, we have another vital meeting tomorrow with her, The Environment Agency, the Met Office and more as we plan on how we make impactful change on the matter whatever the weather.

We need to find practical, sustainable solutions that will actually help us meet the challenges being faced. For those asking specifically asking about Weir Wood - this was AGAIN discussed roundly and rightly, and the alignment of the infrastructure spend and plans between the 2 water companies and something I have raised non-stop since the 2 reservoirs came into my MP patch with boundary changes. 

The 2 water sources have very different treatment needs and other issues that mean connecting back into the SE Water network via Forest Row is now deemed the best, soonest option - but everything remains on the table to avoid standpipes. Southern are doing work on their facilities and water here must not be ignored and the partnerships dealt with. I raised that just this week with the BBC South East Environment Correspondent and was one of these most read stories on their website.

As the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, I had the deep honour of visiting Aberfan, among others who were quietly paying their respects and laying flowers in memory of those whose lives were tragically taken far too soon.

At around this time 60 years ago, heartbreakingly the village of Aberfan was changed forever. This devastating tragedy remains etched in our memories.

We remember the 144 people, including 116 young children, who lost their lives in this horrific tragedy, leaving families and an entire community truly devastated. The grief endured by their loved ones is beyond words. I know my family and friends and those growing up at the time remember starkly the harrowing stories from a community who still feel the pain of that day deeply.