Consultation by Southern Railway on proposed changes to the Ashford – Brighton service
To: Users of the MarshLink Line
Date: 21 October 2009
The Ashford – Brighton direct service was introduced in December 2005. The changes that this service created were:
- a direct service between these two major towns;
- a faster journey between the towns, originally intended to be less than 90 mins but, in practice, 110 mins;
- more direct access from West Sussex to international rail services from Ashford International station;
- substantially reduced services to/ from small stations, in particular Winchelsea, Three Oaks, Doleham in our immediate area (“the Small Stations”).
Southern has won the re-franchising of the MarshLink Line starting in December: it is re-considering the future of the Line and seeking the opinion of users to some changes which, if thought appropriate to introduce (and approved by the Department for Transport), would come into effect in December 2010.
The changes proposed which most affect the MarshLink Line are:
1. Reduction in operating equipment from 5 to 4 train sets
One of the continuing issues that passengers have with the MarshLink service is reliability: only too often a unit breaks down and the service is replaced by coaches. This concern results in reduced passenger numbers (railheading to other services) or avoiding the Rye Shuttle (which is particularly prone to such substitutions).
The current service is operated by five train sets but the proposal in the Consultation reduces the equipment to four train sets. To a certain extent, the argument for reduced equipment is supported by the reduced length of the journey by turning around at Eastbourne rather than Brighton. Nonetheless, the concern remains that the service cannot be properly and fully supported by a reduction in train set.
2. The direct service between Ashford and Brighton would be cut at Eastbourne
Southern are bound by the terms of their new franchise to endeavour to improve connections at Ashford to the High Speed line. However, they have problems in doing this when they are constrained by platform availability at Brighton. By splitting the route into two parts they are released from the constraints at Brighton and can therefore improve connection times at Ashford to both the High Speed service to St.Pancras International and regular service to Charing Cross. By way of example, a projected timetable suggests the following outward journey times from Rye:
- depart Rye at xx:34, total journey time to St. Pancras of 1:17 mins including a connection time of 17 mins;
- depart Rye at xx:34, total journey time to Charing Cross of 1:48 mins including a connection time of 6 mins;
- depart Rye at xx:35, total journey time to Brighton of 1:44 mins including a connection time of 19 mins (the journey time is currently 1:26 mins).
Services to the west of Eastbourne are frequently overcrowded with passengers standing. By splitting the route, four carriage electric trains can be used on the western end of that journey.
Additionally, although MLAG has fought against the downgrading of Ashford as an international station, the international services available are now much reduced and the interest of West Sussex users of international rail services from Ashford is perceived to have reduced.
3. Regular service at Ore
All trains would stop at Ore where, currently, the station only has the same stopping schedule as the Small Stations (i.e. at the beginning and end of the day). This is to meet the recent property development around the station and, in particular, the opening of a new college at Ore (part of Hastings College).
4. A 2-hourly service to Winchelsea and Three Oaks
The new proposed service includes stops at Winchelsea and Three Oaks on an alternate train basis (i.e. a 2-hourly service to each station).
5. Reduced likelihood of electrification or dualling of the rail line
Although not referred to in the Consultation paper, it may be argued that the existing diesel units would be satisfactory for the purposes of the MarshLink Line for the foreseeable future, providing adequate backup in the event of equipment failures. It is also possible that some of the existing equipment will be allocated to other services.
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This summary of the Consultation paper is intended to be neutral. MLAG has not yet met, as a committee, to decide its response. Representatives of MLAG will be attending an information meeting with Southern Railways and will submit its views within the consultation period and endeavour to make those views known through the Rye Observer.
HOW TO FIND OUT MORE
The detailed consultation document does not appear to be on Southern Railway’s website at the moment but will be available on MLAG’s website shortly – see www.mlag.org.uk .
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR VIEWS
The period of consultation is not known. Responses can be emailed to eastcoastwaytimetable@southernrailway.com and it would be appreciated if you would send a copy to MLAG at info@mlag.org.uk .
AND FINALLY – ADVANCE NOTICE
The Annual General Meeting of MLAG will take place on the evening of Wednesday 27 January at Rye Town Hall. The start time will probably be 7.15pm which will allow London commuters to take the 17:40 train arriving at Rye at 18:55. Speakers are yet to be confirmed. Please see MLAG’s website nearer the time.
Stuart Harland
Chairman
MarshLink Action Group