Hugh moves to prevent train service cuts

HUGH ROBERTSON MEETS SRA TO DISCUSS FAVERSHAM AND SELLING'S TRAINS

Hugh Robertson has today met the Strategic Rail Authority to discuss their new plans for Faversham and Selling. The new plans were drawn up following a high level campaign against the original proposals drawn up last year.

At the meeting, the SRA restated the new proposals contained in the document. These are:-

1. Faversham. Two fast trains per hour to Victoria. In each peak period (0700-0959 and 1600-1859) there would be an additional four direct trains to Cannon Street and three direct trains to St Pancras which commuters could use to connect to the Docklands at Stratford. Only trains to St Pancras would attract the premium fares.

2. Selling. The decision to close Selling station during the day had been abandoned and Selling would now have one train each hour stopping at the station.

Hugh said: “The original proposals quite rightly sparked a considerable amount of unhappiness and I attended two meetings with the SRA last year to voice my concerns.

“The new proposals, whilst still representing a cut to the existing service schedule, are a welcome improvement and during my meeting I was encouraged that the SRA had taken into account my original objections and the level of public disquiet.

“There is clearly a great deal still to fight for, and