MP's call to resist 'school train' cuts

Since the cancellation of the 8.10 from Eastbourne, the St Richard's Catholic College students can either get up earlier and cram into the two-coach 7.50am train - or catch the later train and arrive late for registration at school.

Town MP Gregory Barker was at Cooden Beach station last Friday afternoon to meet Ian Ollerenshaw, representing the college governors and vice principal Doreen Cronin.

He was in the constituency to hear about the college's problems and to highlight them.

Now, he is appealing to parents to bombard Charles Horton, managing director of train operator Southern, pointing out the disruption the company's timetable is causing.

Ian Ollerenshaw said: "Some 400 of St Richard's 1,000 students travel in daily from Eastbourne and Pevensey.

"There used to be three trains from Eastbourne. They cancelled the middle one. But the earlier one leaves at 7.50. It gets them to college far too early and because it is only two carriages long it is always packed.

"The other one doesn't get in until 9am - which means that everyone from Eastbourne is late for school."

Doreen Cronin said: "The children are having to leave early. Some have already had a bus journey before catching the train so it is a very early start for them.

"The 7.50 has only two carriages. The situation is irritating members of the public when about 200 children try to get on the train."

Gregory Barker said: "I have already met with the managing director in person. They were not aware of the situation or the consequences of their actions. Nobody had looked at it before the cancelled the 8.10.

"Clearly, there needs to be action over the timetable.

"I really don't think they really understood timetable issues like this.

"Hopefully, what we will have done today is raise awareness of the situation and encourage parents to write to the managing director."

Referring both to the issue of the 8.10am and of the loss of the direct service from Bexhill to Victoria, the MP said: "What I am finding is that our campaign on the trains is starting to get through."

Parents are invited to write to: Charles Horton, Managing Director, Southern, Go-Ahead House, 26-28 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CR9 5GA.

l Gregory Barker has called on commuters to air their concerns about the Hastings to Charing Cross train line.

He has organised a public meeting at Battle Memorial Hall for 6pm, on Thursday, March 2.

Mr Barker will chair the meeting, He has invited senior representatives from Govia Ltd, who will take over the train service from April, to come along and outline their plans for the route as well as answer questions from train users.

He said: "This special public meeting will enable local train users to register their concerns about services along the Hastings to Charing Cross line.

"I am particularly concerned about proposed changes to time tables and reductions in trains. I hope people will join me for 6pm at the Battle Memorial Hall on Thursday 2nd March and have their say before the final decisions on the future of the line are made."