Relief on way for Mid Sussex commuters - Tierney

6.42.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Jun 2007

Following questions raised by Serena Tierney, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Mid Sussex, the transport minister has today confirmed that the new Gatwick Express service to Brighton will also serve Haywards Heath with some services stopping at Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield and Hassocks.

Serena Tierney said:

"Like many other local commuters, I welcome this news. The extra services will help to provide some relief to the overcrowding on the London to Brighton mainline service. Having had to stand from London to East Croydon for the last two days, I only regret that this service will not start until December next year."

Six Gatwick Express trains in the 90-minute height of the morning peak will start at Brighton, calling at Haywards Heath, Gatwick and London Victoria. Some will also call at intermediate stations including Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield. The same service will return southbound in the evening high peak.

Serena added

"This service will certainly help but we really need much greater investment in our railway services here in Mid Sussex. When Southern introduced the new train service last year the extra capacity was soon filled. New housing developments in the local area will increase demand for commuting services and we cannot possibly ask people to leave their cars at home if they cannot get on the trains."