Fight continues to save rail services

SRA ANNOUNCES POSTPONEMENT OF INTEGRATED KENT FRANCHISE CONSULTATION

The SRA, in a letter to MPs, has announced the postponement of the announcement of the results of the Integrated Kent Franchise consultation until the autumn. A copy of the letter is available on request.

Hugh,who is closely involved in the fight to save Lenham, Harrietsham and Hollingbourne stations responded:

"It is encouraging that the SRA has had such an overwhelming response to the Integrated Kent Franchise document. Judging by the success of the public meeting at Harrietsham, the media campaign, and the size of my mailbag, it was an issue over which many people quite rightly felt extremely strongly.

"However, given the political uncertainty over the future of the SRA, I am warned by any slippage in the consultation timetable. If the government is planning to scrap the SRA, as has been leaked to the press, it is vital that ownership of this consultation process is passed quickly and efficiently to the new body.

"I will be watching developments closely and with concern."