Since I was first elected as MP for Mid Sussex in 2019, I have been regularly engaging with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) about the vital need to increase services from East Grinstead as soon as possible, as well as engaging with them on wider Mid Sussex needs including trains through Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath. I was pleased that finally, back in March, they announced that there would be a reinstated peak time service introduced from East Grinstead to London Blackfriars at 07.15am with the inclusion of a return service from London Bridge to East Grinstead departing at 17.41pm. This is a start in terms of my commuters’ needs, but symptomatic of how much the service has disintegrated for commuters and those going to school in south London.
However, since this announcement, many constituents have contacted me to express their ongoing frustration at the repeated cancellations and poor services from East Grinstead station, despite assurances from GTR that my constituents could expect exactly the opposite.
In the mornings, the 07.15 service to London Blackfriars, which was only reintroduced in May 2022, is frequently cancelled with erratic pre 7am services to boot. In the evenings, the 18.04 direct service from Blackfriars to East Grinstead is often cancelled, leaving many of my constituents facing a longer commute home, due to the lack of subsequent direct services to East Grinstead meaning forced changes at East Croydon.
Following meetings with affected constituents to hear their thoughts and concerns, I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport to request an urgent meeting to discuss how we can work together to resolve this worrying situation for my East Grinstead and wider Mid Sussex constituents and what steps the Department, under her leadership, is planning to take to hold GTR to account and ensure that adequate services are provided to and from East Grinstead.
Attached is a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State and I shall continue to keep my constituents updated on this issue.