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Kemptown MP Kirby calls for major investment in Brighton-London rail connection

Sarah Green January 9, 2014

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has called for major investment to improve the rail connection between Brighton and London.

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

In a debate on inter-city rail investment in the House of Commons today, January 9, Mr Kirby spoke of his constituent’s frustrations at the level of service that they currently experience listing cancellations, delays, overcrowding, dirty trains and lack of information for customers as the concerns that are raised most with him by constituents on a weekly basis.

In the speech he identified the need for major investment to increase rail capacity in the South East as the only long term solution to poor services and he reiterated his support for a second rail link, Brighton Mainline 2, to relieve pressure on the existing line.

He said: “As one of the many people who commute from Brighton to London for work, I know how important rail services are in our city, and I know how unreliable and substandard they currently are. I receive a huge number of complaints from constituents about the standards of service, and I made their views very clear to the rail Minister in the debate this afternoon.

“There is a clear need for major investment in rail in the South East, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to repeat my support for Brighton Mainline 2, which I know has a lot of support in my constituency. I asked the Minister to reconfirm that this option is still being considered by the Government, and I extended an invitation to him to come to Brighton and experience a daily commute with me, so that he can see some of the problems first hand.

“I want to assure my constituents in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven that I will continue pushing for more investment, both short term and long term, to ensure that the situation improves and we get the rail service that we deserve.”

 

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