Latest news with #JoshBabarinde
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Train service suspended during Covid to return
A direct train service connecting London Bridge with Eastbourne and Lewes in East Sussex is scheduled for reinstatement. The Thameslink service, which was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, will resume operations on 15 December 2025. Initially, the service will run twice daily, Monday to Thursday only, primarily catering to commuters. Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde spearheaded a successful campaign for the service's return, describing it as a significant victory for the town. Govia Thameslink Railway confirmed the reinstatement was in response to customer demand and aims to encourage greater use of rail services.
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
This pretty coastal town is getting a new direct train link from London
A train service between London and two East Sussex towns is being reinstated for the first time since 2020. From December, travellers departing London Bridge will be directly connected with the south coast resort of Eastbourne and the county town of Lewes. The Thameslink service, which was suspended at the start of the pandemic, will largely cater to commuters, however, with just two services running per day, Monday to Thursday only. Prior to this, Eastbourne only had one direct service to London Victoria. Rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway said it would make the journey 'much easier'. 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 service will restart on 15 December 2025. Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde, who has been campaigning for the return of the service, described it as 'a huge victory'. Earlier this month, he attempted to drum up public support with a giant ticket-shaped petition outside Eastbourne station signed by local residents. '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,' he said in a statement. 'This is a huge victory for our town. I look forward to seeing commuters on 15 December for the first journey up to London Bridge.' Thameslink described the Covid pandemic as having a 'devastating impact' on the rail industry. Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said she was 'delighted' to confirm the return of the service, in response to customer demands. She added the company was doing everything it could do to encourage people back to using rail services, which it called the 'most sustainable form of public transport'.
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- 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
16-07-2025
- 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.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The 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 halted its direct train link between the coastal town and the capital during the Covid pandemic. 2 2 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.
