Bexhill MP's meeting over Hastings rail line

Mr Barker along with local councilors and community leaders, will hold talks on the proposals to reduce the popular direct Cannon Street service and cut the stopping service to Charing Cross from local stations at the Department for Transport on Wednesday, April 25.

The announcement follows Mr Barker's meeting with Govia Ltd. chief executive Keith Ludaman in Battle last February.

Mr Ludaman outlined his plans for the line after South Eastern, a subsidiary company of Govia Ltd, took over responsibility for the train service.

Mr Barker now says: ""It was clear from the constituency correspondence I receive that there is a great deal of uncertainty about the future of trains from local stations along the Hastings to Charing Cross line, particularly the popular commuter service to Cannon Street where drastic cuts are proposed.

"Local stations, such as Crowhurst, Robertsbridge and Etchingham are also likely to have their London services reduced.

"Although I was encouraged to hear from Govia Ltd last February that they do not regard the government's service proposals as absolutely set in stone, it is clear we will have to work very hard to make sure the Department for Transport sees sense before these proposals are implemented in January 2009. This is why I will be leading a group of local councilors and community leaders for the meeting in April to deal head on with this threat to both local users and regular commuters."