Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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Lewes-Uckfield Line: Local MP Seeks The Missing Link In House Of Commons Debate
Lewes MP Norman Baker has called upon the Government to investigate all possible options into reopening the rail link between Lewes and Uckfield. Speaking on the floor of the House of Commons in a debate which he introduced, Norman told the Transport Minister, Tony McNulty:
"The reinstatement of the Lewes-Uckfield line would be good for the environment, good for social mobility and social inclusion and good for the economy. It makes absolute sense. It is overwhelmingly supported by the communities in my patch. It is supported by all the local councils and all the local MPs. It is something that the Government, in their wish to get real services back on track, should support."
In response the Minister acknowledged the importance of such small-scale schemes to expanding rail capacity and which "can solve problems far more readily than some of the big schemes." However, whilst he encouraged Norman to "keep up the pressure to secure the link" he could "offer no substantive sunny uplands in the next weeks and months" and would not be drawn on whether there would be good news in the forthcoming rail review or in the Secretary of State's pending Regional Transport Strategy.
After the debate Norman said:
"This missing gap of only seven miles of track between Lewes and Uckfield is like a key tooth missing from a mouth. It makes absolutely no sense, bearing in mind the economic, social and environmental benefits that it could bring.
"Reopening this line represents the simplest and cheapest way to provide extra capacity between the south coast and London and relieve congestion on the overburdened A26. The popular support is there but all efforts are being stymied by a rail industry that is incapable of delivering such schemes. The Government must now encourage the Strategic Rail Authority to refocus its priorities away from one or two huge and immmensely expensive rail projects and towards the many cheaper and more deliverable small-scale schemes that would bring real and relatively quick improvements to the railways and peoples lives.
"The reinstatement of the Lewes-Uckfield line is one of my greatest ambitions. I've been fighting for the reinstatement of this line for 15 years and I intend to continue to press for it until I see the ribbon finally cut at the reopening ceremony."