The MarshLink Action Group (MLAG) annual general meeting was held last week with guest speakers from Southern Rail, Network Rail (NR) and Sally-Ann Hart MP.
Phil Hutchinson and James Harris of Southern reflected over the last year. It would be necessary to be present to understand the detail of the review but one significant issue was that passenger numbers on Southern services were not back to pre-pandemic levels and that is particularly so at peak times / commuter use: this is a situation true throughout the country and has repercussions on the economics of train operations.
Despite passenger numbers being down since pre-pandemic times, four-car trains replaced two-car trains from the start of the pandemic, primarily to provide social distancing. As the country tries to return to a new-normal, it is necessary for capacity to be re-assessed and so the trains are now being converted to three-cars – that reconfiguration is expected to be completed before the year end.
It should be said that MLAG has some concerns about how three-car trains, which can’t be increased in length, can service the high demands the Marshlink has for specific events along the line and normal spring / summer / autumn tourist demands: this will be discussed further with Southern. It should be said here that MLAG and Hastings and Rother Rail Users Alliance (of which MLAG is a member) share an excellent, cordial relationship with Southern and wishes to continue that relationship for mutual benefit.
Southern continued to explain that the next timetable period starts on December 11 and there will not be any substantial changes apart from one service, the 5:45am from Rye, the first service of the day. The following explanation will not be of any interest to all readers but is important for early risers (with apologies for the detail).
Currently the 5:45am from Rye connects at Ashford with the 6:16am Javelin service, arriving at St. Pancras at 6:54am, a journey time of 69 mins. From December 11, Southeastern Trains has brought forward the time of the Javelin to 6:06am with the result that the 5:45am from Rye would connect to the 6:30am from Ashford arriving St. Pancras at 7:08am, a journey time of 83 mins – this is what is currently shown in the online timetable.
Southern explained they are investigating whether they can bring forward the current 5:45am service to connect with the new 6:06am Javelin. However, this is not an easy task because it would need the Marshlink line to be open earlier than currently specified requiring approval from NR and the government. Until this can be negotiated (if at all) then a user of the 5:45am Rye service will arrive at St. Pancras at 7.08am. If a connection can be made to the 6:06am from Ashford they would arrive in St. Pancras at 6:44am but require an even earlier start.
Dave Bonner of NR acknowledged the question to open up the Marshlink line earlier had been raised and was being evaluated. With regard to the much discussed, over many years, Kent / Sussex Connect project to provide a direct service between St. Pancras, along the Marshlink to Eastbourne, NR submitted its business plan to the government for funding last year but other projects seem to have gained priority so it is currently paused.
This was confirmed by Sally-Ann Hart who continues to promote the Marshlink line across government. But increased cost pressures on government make it unlikely any new rail projects will be approved in the next couple of years. NR’s application for funding for the Kent / Sussex Connect project ticked all the boxes but there is just not enough money to do all the infrastructure projects now.
She announced she was looking at other ways to push things along and has set up a board to look at how private investment could drive improved services to link up local south east coast towns and further afield and also aid decarbonisation. Underlying the intent is the concept that improving connectivity will encourage economic growth for this part of the UK.
With regard to the reformation of the existing class 171 units, she summarised the changing view of the fleet structure and how it is very soon to be in three-car formation. Finally, returning to the rail services, Southern announced that, from May 2023, all Marshlink services will stop at Winchelsea and Three Oaks. This has been a long-promoted aim of these two stations and also of MLAG but, over a period, these stations will need to show a demand.
At the end of the presentations there was a Q&A session and MLAG will endeavour to report on matters raised in a later article in Rye News.
Image Credits: Stuart Harland .
Well done to MLAG working with Southern to cut Rye Shuttles and now increasing connection time for one of only 2 peak morning services. They really do have excellent relationship working for Southern and local mp.
Least MP has finally admitted HS1 to Hastings was complete fabrication for 2014 election and has finally been put to bed.