Train services from Rye have been badly affected by cancellations for the last two weeks – the worst day was Sunday July 20, when more than a quarter of services were unable to run. The poor service could continue for the rest of the summer as Southern Trains deals with a shortage of conductors.
On the Sunday, when 27% of services were cancelled because of a lack of train conductors, Rye was rated as one of the worst in the country by On Time Trains. Out of 2418 stations in the UK, Rye was ranked 2244. Buses replaced trains for most of the morning.
Earlier in the week more than one in ten trains were cancelled from Rye on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Lack of staff and train failures were blamed for the cancellations. Disruption continued on Monday July 21 when 11% of the day’s train were cancelled because of trespassers on the line at Ore. On Wednesday July 23 there were more cancellations because of flooding.
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway which operates Southern Trains along the Marshlink, said: “I am very sorry that we have, at times, had to cancel trains. The nature of the Marshlink line, with two single track sections between Ore and Rye and Rye and Appledore, limits us to an hourly service, so I really understand the impact caused by a cancellation.
“The trains can only run with a conductor on board to tell the driver when it is safe to leave. Most of our trains don’t operate this way, so this is a comparatively small team. Regrettably, due a number of complex reasons, some colleagues are unable to work and we are supporting those individuals.
“We are doing everything we can to plug the gaps in service. We have a suite of managers who work as contingency conductors, although this can be challenging as they have regular day jobs. We have also recruited four new conductors who will complete their training in mid-September – it takes three months to train someone for this safety-critical role.”
Ten years ago Southern Trains was hit by industrial action over plans to replace conductors across most of the network with on-board supervisors. It became the UK’s longest running industrial dispute with a series of strikes.
Anyone whose journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more can apply for compensation at the Southern website.
Work on the line near Hastings will mean a shuttle service will run between Hastings and Ashford International serving Rye during half term this autumn, with no through trains to Eastbourne. The main line From Hastings to Tunbridge Wells will be closed between Saturday October 25 and Sunday November 2.
Engineers will use the time to deliver a wide range of essential upgrades to improve the safety and performance of the railway. In the Bo Peep and Hastings tunnels brickwork will be repaired and drainage upgraded to stop leaks damaging railway equipment within the tunnels.
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .
Wish there was a track going towards the coast road. Like in the olden days lol