'Short-sighted' Network Rail proposals for Hastings trains must be rethought
On 22nd January the Rail Route Utilisation Strategy or RUS (which covers the Hastings-London main line) was published by Network Rail.
Contained within its pages was a proposal to reduce the number of peak time trains that run between Hastings and London. The RUS proposes that the direct Hastings-Cannon Street service be removed from 2015 to facilitate the new Thameslink services which are currently scheduled to run only as far south as Tunbridge Wells.
On the positive side the RUS acknowledges the proposed service reductions are a major cause of concern on the line south of Tunbridge Wells and devotes several pages to discussing the problem and potential solutions. Indeed it was the major issue of concern to arise from the consultation process.
Nonetheless this is a tremendously short-sighted proposal on the part of Network Rail. They may acknowledge the problem but I want them to find a solution.
Over the past 12 years Government investment in Hastings has revolutionized the town. Employment opportunities are better, we have lots of new business space, a new university centre and a new 100million college of further education is about to throw open its doors to students. The government has really helped to make a difference here but that ongoing regeneration effort is dependent upon good transport links with our neighbours and London in particular. Hastings is the only town in the RUS area where a reduction in services is proposed, many other areas will experience an improvement.
Transport is an integral part of regeneration. For regeneration to continue we need good transport links to the capital. Any strategic transport decision like this one should take account of wider regeneration issues, not just Network Rail's narrow bureaucratic 'business case' approach.
Network Rail's proposals would undermine our progress. Over coming weeks and months I will therefore be campaigning, along with local rail pressure groups like the St Leonards and Hastings Rail Improvement Programme, for a serious rethink.
We are very early in the decision making process and there is time to find a solution. Ultimately the RUS is only an advisory document but I want to see action now. For my part I have proposed the new Thameslink trains run all the way to Hastings which would be a big boost for the area. By making the trains shorter – 8 carriages rather than 12 – it would be possible to run them all the way down to the coast.
Good transport links are vital to the future of our area and I will continue to fight for our rail services.
To keep up to date on what I'm doing stop by my website http://www.michaelfoster.org.uk/ .
You can also receive a monthly update on my activities by sending an email to mp@1066.net with 'MPFree' in the subject line.
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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