Save Our Trains

Greg is urging local rail users to help shape the future of train services for the area by taking part in the Department of Transport’s two new consultations on the proposed new rail franchise which will affect services currently operated by Southern and South Eastern.

Speaking in the constituency, Greg said “Under the last Labour Government we fought tooth and nail against proposals to axe services from local stations into London Cannon Street and to save a direct service to London Victoria. Thankfully, we now have a Government that is genuinely prepared to listen to local passengers but it is vital that we all speak up in defence of our local train service. The direct service to London is vitally important to our local economy. So I urge everyone who values our important rail links to take part in this important consultation.”

The current consultation on services currently operated by Southern closes on 23 August and the consultation on the South Eastern services closes on 13 September. Full details, including the consultation documents, are available on the Department for Transport website, www.dft.gov.uk/consultations alternatively the consultation documents can be requested in other formats by writing to Consultation Coordinator, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR.

A21 Upgrade & Bexhill to Hastings Link Road

Better transport links are vital to this area’s future.

Following the new investment in the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road announced by George Osborne in his budget for growth Greg said “This is the best news for our area in a generation. After 13 years of Labour’s broken promises on the Link Road, the Coalition is delivering for Bexhill and Hastings.”

“The Link Road has the potential to transform the economic prospects of our town while safeguarding the environment of rural Rother from unsuitable housing development. The scheme will not only improve links between the towns and with the rest of the south east but is part of a comprehensive set of transport measures, including public transport, cycling and walking which will bring benefits to our area. The project is also crucial to delivering sustainable economic growth and housing to address the widely acknowledged problems of deprivation in the Bexhill Hastings area.”

The A21 is a vital road for people in our area, our main link to the M25, London, the airports and beyond and all too often it is plagued by traffic jams and slow moving vehicles.

Conservative Roads Minister Mike Penning MP announced in May that funding would be provided for developing proposals for dualling the A21 between Pembury and Tonbridge. Upgrading the road at Pembury is a vital step in delivering the 21st Century transport infrastructure our areas deserves. Furthermore, dualling the road should actually make this dangerous route safer as hopefully fewer dangerous drivers will feel the need to speed or overtake inappropriately.