Long suffering rail travellers between Hastings and London are seeing a whole range of improvements, thanks to many organisations working together.
The demolition of Hastings Station is now well under way, in preparation for the brand new station which should start to take shape early next year. In addition to the station itself, the Task Force has just bought the goods yard, and plans for the development there are being finalised.
Slowly but surely new trains are being introduced on all routes out of Hastings:- many of the South Central trains to Eastbourne, Brighton & Victoria are already of the new type. Known as 'Electrostars,' these bring air-conditioned comfort to replace the forty year old coaches we have become all too familiar with. Similarly, Connex are continuing to introduce their version of the Electrostars on the line to Charing Cross, again replacing the old slam door rolling stock. Forty five year old diesels still work the 'Marshlink' service to Rye and Ashford International, but these too are about to be scrapped as 'Turbostars' - brand new, state of the art trains, again with sliding doors and air conditioning - are phased in on the route. These are already on test on the Uckfield line, and will be particularly welcomed by passengers. Visitors from Europe, too, will no doubt notice the improvements as they climb aboard the modern trains at Ashford International:- what they think at the moment as they leave their Eurostar to join one of the oldest trains on the network for the journey to Hastings just doesn't bear thinking about!
With a new station and new trains, comes a new timetable. From 29th September, Connex have made some important improvements to Hastings line services, giving better journeys for both commuters and those travelling to and from London in the evening. This package of improvements has been paid for by SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, working with Connex, the Strategic Rail Authority, Network Rail, Hastings Borough Council and the Task Force.
Compared with last winter's timetable, the improvements have cut seven minutes from the journey time of the 0630 Hastings-Charing Cross, and eight minutes from the 1800 Charing Cross-Hastings, which is now 87 minutes compared to 95 minutes previously. In addition, there is now a new direct train to Charing Cross at 2137:- almost an hour later than the last through service used to run. Returning from London, the last train to Hastings now leaves at 2336. There is an added bonus that the whole train runs through to Hastings - until last month, it would split at Tonbridge, leading passengers to worry if they were in the right part of the train!
SEEDA's Chief Executive, Anthony Dunnett, said:- "Improving transport links to Hastings is one of the key elements of our Five Point Plan to regenerate the town. We have been working with the different rail organisations and Hastings Borough Council for some time to see what we could do to improve train services, and, after looking at a number of options, this package appeared to offer the best solution. We are investing a lot of money into these improvements, I hope that the new, and faster, trains are well supported.
Council Leader Jeremy Birch, added: "Many of us have been frustrated with the state of the railway here, for too long we've been a Cinderella - seemingly forgotten at the end of the line.
"We've been lobbying long and hard for real improvements and now, at last, we're actually seeing these:- a new station, new trains on all three routes serving the town, faster peak hour journeys to and from London, and better evening services too. I'm very grateful to all of the organisations involved for the hard work they're putting into making these improvements."
Redevelopment of Hastings Station is now well underway
Back to top of page...
< Blunkett and Prescott | Broomgrove Community Centre >
This page last updated: 02/10/2003