Following the publication on 22^nd January of the Rail Route Utilisation Strategy concerning the London line Michael Foster MP has written to Secretary of State Lord Adonis condemning Network Rail’s proposal to reduce direct Hastings-London Services from 2015.

The RUS contains proposals to remove the direct Hastings-Cannon Street service from 2015 to facilitate the new Thameslink services which are currently only scheduled to run as far south as Tunbridge Wells. This would mean a reduction in peak time services between Hastings and London.

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.

Michael Foster MP said:

“This is a tremendously short-sighted proposal on the part of Network Rail. They acknowledge the problem but I want them to find a solution.

“The Government has invested record sums in Hastings over the past 12 years. We have a new train station, university centre, new businesses and a new college. Hastings really is a town on the ‘up’. But for the regeneration to continue we need good transport links to the capital. Network Rail’s proposals would undermine that progress so I want the Minister to intervene and ensure Hastings maintains or improves its rail links with London. Transport is an integral part of regeneration. Any strategic transport decision like this one should take account of wider regeneration issues, not just Network Rail’s narrow bureaucratic ‘business case’ approach.”