Hastings MP promises to keep high speed rail link at the top of agenda as community rail group holds its AGM

The Marshlink Community Rail Partnership ('˜CRP') '“ part of the Sussex Community Rail Partnership '“ held its annual general meeting in Rye on Friday (23rd November).
Marshlink AGM SUS-181126-081019001Marshlink AGM SUS-181126-081019001
Marshlink AGM SUS-181126-081019001

A packed town hall heard presentations from Kevin ‘Taff’ Barry, the Marshlink community rail development officer, Amber Rudd MP, Angie Doll, passenger services director for Southern and Gatwick Express), Andrew Wood, senior commercial sponsor from Network Rail, and Dr Barry Yates from the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

SEE ALSO: Hastings man convicted of controlling behaviour told woman what to wear.Kevin Boorman, the chair of the Marshlink CRP, said: “We were delighted that so many senior figures supported our AGM.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Amber Rudd spoke with passion about her commitment to keep plans for a high speed service between London, Rye, Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne at the top of the agenda. She also praised the work of the Sussex Community Rail Partnership and the local rail user groups.

“Angie Doll updated the meeting on Southern developments, highlighting the recent performance improvements, and was extremely supportive of community rail and particularly the Sussex Community Rail Partnership, which was very heartening. She also confirmed a number of timetable improvements to Marshlink services from December, which will improve connections at Ashford International, which I know will be welcomed.

“And Andrew Wood explained the process for improving the Marshlink service, including the opportunity to physically link the Marshlink with HS1. He also spoke of the possibility of improving the track across the Marsh, to increase the speed and so improve journey times and possibly add more stops to the local services.

“It was good to get an update from Dr Barry Yates on the new visitor centre at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, and his work on encouraging people to visit the reserve by public transport.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was a really interesting meeting, and I had some very positive feedback on it. I’m really grateful to Kevin Barry for all that he does, and for putting together such a great agenda. He also spoke passionately about the need to make the railway system more accessible for all.”

Kevin Barry said: “It was very good to see so many people at Rye town hall interested in our work. I am very grateful to all of our speakers for making the meeting so informative, everyone really appreciated them giving up their time to support us.

“We are especially grateful to the ongoing support of Southern, from their local station and maintenance staff through their enthusiastic local station manager Kate Richards to the very top of the organisation, as we saw with Angie Doll attending our meeting.”