Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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2003 (and previous) press releases
Get on the right track, MP tells Ministers
Residents of East Sussex are to be forced to pay higher fares to use clapped-out slam-door trains while the government throws money at 'predict and provide' road building, local MP Norman Baker has told Transport Minister Kim Howells.
Speaking during a Lib Dem-initiated debate on transport policy, Mr Baker slammed the Transport Department for viewing money spent on rail as "subsidy" as opposed to "investment" for road schemes. Mr Baker told MPs that support for a myriad of tiny rail schemes across the country could dramatically improve public transport.
The Lib Dem MP called on the government to introduce key recommendations contained in the South Coast Multi Modal Study to alleviate road congestion in East Sussex, boost public transport and help the environment. They include:
· The reinstatement of the Lewes - Uckfield line
· Merging the 3 Newhaven stations into one modern station
· Upgrading the Ashford - Hastings line
· Upgrading the Uckfield - Oxted line
Mr Baker told the House that there was something seriously wrong with transport funding mechanisms when no money could be made available to reopen the Lewes - Uckfield line, even though there is only a 6 mile gap between the stations and the scheme has the backing of local MPs from across the political spectrum as well as the local county and district councils. Nor has funding been found to merge the 3 stations at Newhaven, one of which, Newhaven Marine, has only one train a week. Yet money can always be found for road improvements.
Speaking about the transport debate, Norman Baker says:
"It is an absolute disgrace that the government has failed to expand and improve the rail network in Sussex. At the same time as ticket prices are increasing above the rate of inflation, the lion's share of transport spending is going to road schemes which will simply encourage more drivers rather than getting people off the roads and onto public transport.
"All local MPs and councillors back the reopening of the Lewes - Uckfield line, and there is strong support from local residents for a myriad of other schemes including the merger of the stations at Newhaven. The government must stop throwing money away on 'predict and provide' road schemes and instead invest in the railways of East Sussex."