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
Norman Baker's plan to merge Newhaven's 3 stations raised with Transport Minister
A proposal by Norman Baker to merge the 3 stations at Newhaven into one modern terminal received a cautious welcome when the Lib Dem MP discussed the matter face to face with Transport Minister Kim Howells. Norman was the first MP to secure a meeting with the new Minister.
Mr Baker calls the current setup at Newhaven "a disgrace" and has put pressure on the government to help fund a modern replacement for the stations at Newhaven Town, Newhaven Harbour and Newhaven Marine, the latter of which only has one train a week. The scheme is backed by the county and district councils.
Norman Baker pointed out to the Minister that while road schemes regularly get the green light, rail schemes are shunted into the sidings. He suggested that the government pick rail schemes they could deliver quickly and relatively cheaply, and that the Newhaven plan be one of those.
Mr Baker also wants to see more freight moved through the town. Railway lines run direct to the Newhaven quayside but no freight is currently moved through the port by rail, even though it is linked with Dieppe through the revitalised ferry service.
Speaking about the meeting with Kim Howells, Norman Baker says:
"There is a crying need for one good station in Newhaven, not three different stations one of which enjoys just a single train a week. The current setup is a disgrace, yet a single, modern station need not be expensive'
"The county and district councils are behind the Newhaven proposal, and rationalising the stations could free up some land and so help pump-prime the plan. All that is needed is government backing to get the scheme off the ground. This will provide a boost to the railways in Newhaven and send out the message that the government cares about public transport. I urge the Minister to say 'yes' to my proposal."