This year’s MLAG annual general meeting will be held from 7pm on Friday, June 6 at the Tudor Room of the Mermaid Inn, Rye. There will be an opportunity to meet members of the MLAG committee and speakers from around 6:30pm in the bar at the Tudor Room – please come along and ask your questions before and during the meeting.
The formal part of the AGM normally takes only a couple of minutes, so we hope those using the railway that day will have time to get from Rye station to the Tudor Room (train arriving Rye at 6:47pm we trust) in time for the start of presentations.
We will first hear from the senior public affairs manager, Southern Region of Network Rail (NR). NR are often criticised for issues along our line (and across the county) and, indeed, I was recently subject to replacement buses operating rail services on two successive weekends – one resulted from the closure of the Marshlink line coming back from Gatwick Airport and the other from the closure of the section of line between Cambridge and Royston. So I understand the irritation. But let’s hear from the professional on this matter.
Also we would like to hear from NR about planned improvements in the rail infrastructure along our line, for example to improve line speeds and thereby, we trust, improve timetable reliability. But you will have your own questions and time will be made available.
We will then hear from representatives of Southern Railways / Govia Thameslink Railways (the company that operates the trains on the Marshlink line). We will hear from the head of strategic planning and also from their service development management. Presentations will be on the subjects of passenger growth (a very important consideration for determining investment in lines); performance (inevitably important for service reliability); and what’s coming next (what changes are contemplated for the future).
We know you will have questions about timetabling, connectivity, equipment failures, reliability in general, staffing issues (maybe more – only you will know so be prepared to ask your questions) so take this opportunity to ask your questions.
There will also be the opportunity to join the MLAG – the annual fee is £3 so please do join and contribute throughout the year to rail issues.
Image Credits: MLAG .
The trains have been a nightmare for my son who travels from Rye to Brighton for Uni. So many delays/ cancellations and bus replacements. Likewise, my husband relies on the train to Hastings for work at the College. On another note, the rubbish that has accumulated by the railway crossing to Udimore Road is disgusting. Is anyone going to clean it up? That’s what people see as they approach our town.
What does MLAG stand for?
Marsh Link Action Group
I noted that on Friday gone that there were a number of cancellations owing to staff shortages. I was told, informally, that this was because the company will not employ more drivers. This lets down not only regular users but the tourists.
Your opportunity to discuss these matters with our train operator is on Friday 6th June at The Mermaid. I can only suggest you make use of that opportunity.