MLAG (MarshLink Action Group) will be holding its AGM this year on Friday April 15 at Rye Town Hall. The formal meeting will start at 7pm with presentations followed by questions, at around 7:15pm, to allow attendees to use our trains.
Every year there are a great range of issues to discuss – unfortunately, some are repeating issues not resolved over the previous year(s). Others are developments under consideration (and in the rail world, developments can take many years) but they are issues we want to mould into a structure we think is best for our rail users or, at the very least, be able to put forward our arguments for a particular course.
Amongst the regular issues are: the need for a connection policy at Ashford; speed restrictions on the MarshLink; a later westbound train from Ashford; an earlier evening Rye Shuttle; communication between Southern and its passengers; and, not least, issues with the performance and reliability of the day to day service.
When it comes to developments, there is one overriding one we have been embroiled in for two years already and it will be several years before it is even likely to be crystallised – the introduction of an hourly Javelin service direct to London and a half-hourly all stops service on the MarshLink. We thought we knew where we were going with this development until very recently when a new possibility arose – could electrification of the MarshLink be avoided and, instead, use new hybrid/ bi-modal technology to enable trains to run on battery (or other fuels) on non-electrified track.
These are all subjects we will endeavour to raise and discuss (regrettably not resolve) at our meeting on April 15 with presentations from specialists.
So come along, get informed and add your own views.
Photo: Seana Lanigan
Image Credits: Rye News library .