Latest news with #JennySaunders
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
English beach resort town is getting direct train line to UK's capital again in ‘huge victory'
A RAIL service between a popular beach resort town and London is being brought back this year. Govia Thameslink Railway 2 The operator says the pandemic had a 'devastating impact' on rail Credit: Alamy 2 Hotels overlooking the seafront promenade at Eastbourne Credit: Alamy But the rail operator has announced that A direct service will run in the morning and return to the seaside town in the evening. It will run from Monday to Thursday, and the operator said it Prior to this, Eastbourne only had direct trains to London Victoria. read more in travel A 'HUGE VICTORY ' The news comes following calls from passengers to reinstate the transport link. The town's MP Josh Babarinde was part of the campaign to restore the service. He previously took a giant ticket-shaped petition The MP called the link's restoration a "huge victory" that would have a "positive impact" on the town. Most read in News Travel He said: "After months of campaigning including writing to rail bosses, pressing Ministers in the House of Commons, and gathering thousands of signatures from Eastbournians, I'm delighted that we've managed to restore our direct London Bridge rail service." "I look forward to seeing commuters on 15 December for the first journey up to London Bridge," he added. Picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – & will cut journey times by an hour RESTORED SERVICE The operator has said the Covid pandemic had a "devastating impact" on the rail industry. Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "The pandemic had a devastating impact on everyone, not least the rail industry, and our weekday commuter numbers are still reduced but recovering. "We're doing everything we can to encourage people back to rail, which is the most sustainable form of public transport. "The innovative new timetable we introduced along the east coastway two years ago did just that, boosting passenger numbers by giving people better services and easier connections. "We think this timetable improvement will build on that success and are pleased to have worked with local stakeholders to make the case for its introduction." The restored service will depart Eastbourne at 6:48am and arrive at London Bridge for 8:25am. In the evening, it will start back from the capital at 5.03pm and reach Eastbourne for 6.34pm.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
English beach resort town is getting direct train line to UK's capital again in ‘huge victory'
The restored service is expected to be a big boost for commuters ON TRACK English beach resort town is getting direct train line to UK's capital again in 'huge victory' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RAIL service between a popular beach resort town and London is being brought back this year. Govia Thameslink Railway halted its direct train link between the coastal town and the capital during the Covid pandemic. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The operator says the pandemic had a 'devastating impact' on rail Credit: Alamy 2 Hotels overlooking the seafront promenade at Eastbourne Credit: Alamy But the rail operator has announced that direct trains will run between Eastbourne, Lewes and London Bridge once again from December. A direct service will run in the morning and return to the seaside town in the evening. It will run from Monday to Thursday, and the operator said it would make commutes to London "much easier". Prior to this, Eastbourne only had direct trains to London Victoria. A 'HUGE VICTORY' The news comes following calls from passengers to reinstate the transport link. The town's MP Josh Babarinde was part of the campaign to restore the service. He previously took a giant ticket-shaped petition to the town's train station while campaigning. The MP called the link's restoration a "huge victory" that would have a "positive impact" on the town. He said: "After months of campaigning including writing to rail bosses, pressing Ministers in the House of Commons, and gathering thousands of signatures from Eastbournians, I'm delighted that we've managed to restore our direct London Bridge rail service." "I look forward to seeing commuters on 15 December for the first journey up to London Bridge," he added. Picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – & will cut journey times by an hour RESTORED SERVICE The operator has said the Covid pandemic had a "devastating impact" on the rail industry. Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "The pandemic had a devastating impact on everyone, not least the rail industry, and our weekday commuter numbers are still reduced but recovering. "We're doing everything we can to encourage people back to rail, which is the most sustainable form of public transport. "The innovative new timetable we introduced along the east coastway two years ago did just that, boosting passenger numbers by giving people better services and easier connections. "We think this timetable improvement will build on that success and are pleased to have worked with local stakeholders to make the case for its introduction." The restored service will depart Eastbourne at 6:48am and arrive at London Bridge for 8:25am. In the evening, it will start back from the capital at 5.03pm and reach Eastbourne for 6.34pm.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time Out
The classic English beach resort town getting a new direct train service from London
A direct train between two East Sussex towns and London is being brought back for the first time since 2020. From December, travellers will be able to reach London Bridge directly from Eastbourne and Lewes as the pre-pandemic Thameslink train will be reinstated. It will only run from Monday to Thursday, making it ideal for commuters. Rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway said it would make the journey 'much easier'. Previously, Eastbourne only had one direct service to London Victoria. At the moment the train will only run twice a day. The Monday to Thursday service will depart from Eastbourne at 6.48am, arriving at London Bridge for 8.25am. The return service will leave London Bridge at 5.03pm and reach Eastbourne at 6.34pm. The commuter train's first journey will be on December 15 2025. Visitors planning an overnight trip to Eastbourne could take the 5pm service out of London, but it would only be worth it if you were planning to spend a couple of days in the seaside town (lest you have to return at 8am the following morning). Still, there would be plenty to do during a multi-day visit, including seeing contemporary art at Towner Eastbourne, walking the iconic South Downs cliff path, or having a slap-up meal at one of the many independent restaurants. However, bear in mind that this service won't work for weekend trips, as it only runs from Monday to Thursday. Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde who had been campaigning for the service to be brought back called the return of the train a 'huge victory for the town'. The Liberal Democrat said in a statement: 'After months of campaigning including writing to rail bosses, pressing Ministers in the House of Commons, and gathering thousands of signatures from Eastbournians, I'm delighted that we've managed to restore our direct London Bridge rail service.' Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Govia Thameslink Railway said: 'The pandemic had a devastating impact on everyone, not least the rail industry, and our weekday commuter numbers are still reduced but recovering. 'We're doing everything we can to encourage people back to rail, which is the most sustainable form of public transport. The innovative new timetable we introduced along the east coastway two years ago did just that, boosting passenger numbers by giving people better services and easier connections.'
