Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde has met with senior executives from Network Rail and Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) to demand “urgent action” following weeks of significant disruption affecting passengers across Sussex.
Following the derailment at Lewes on 13 August, passengers have faced major changes to services, including temporary speed restrictions, timetable changes and cancellations.
Mr Babarinde secured the meeting after writing to GTR, Network Rail and the Department for Transport earlier this month to raise concerns about the significant impact of the disruption on passengers and Eastbourne’s local economy.
At the meeting, rail executives outlined some of the factors behind the ongoing disruption, including the impact of extreme heat and prolonged dry weather. The resulting soil moisture deficit has caused clay soils beneath parts of the railway to dry out, crack and warp, creating challenges for the stability of the network.
Network Rail is undertaking a range of measures, including reinforcing sections of track, removing excess vegetation and carrying out essential safety and repair works. Disruption is expected to continue until the week commencing 12 October while much of the work is completed.
During the meeting, Mr Babarinde pressed GTR and Network Rail on whether compensation or other support could be provided to communities affected by the disruption. Executives agreed to explore what support may be available through their ‘Your Station, Your Community Improvement Fund’.
The Lib Dem MP also stressed the need to “look beyond the immediate repairs” and find a “long-term solution” to improve the resilience of the local rail network and prevent similar disruption in the future.
We are still awaiting a final report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) into the Lewes derailment.
In a statement following the meeting, Mr Babarinde said:
“While I recognise that essential safety and repair works need to be carried out, it is unacceptable that passengers across Eastbourne and Sussex have been left facing months of significant disruption.
“I want to see rail bosses doing everything possible to minimise disruption and restore reliable services as quickly as possible.
“But we also need to look beyond the immediate repairs. The Government must deliver the long-term investment needed to build a more resilient rail network and ensure that passengers across Eastbourne and Sussex are not left facing this level of disruption again.”