Proposal for new early morning train from Uckfield

A new early morning train could be introduced from Uckfield in a bid to get commuters into London earlier.

Southern says the new train could leave Uckfield at 05.44 to arrive at London Bridge at 06.56 and is requesting feedback on the idea, writes Cathy Watson.

The first train currently leaves at 06.00 and two changes are required before arrival at London Bridge an hour and three-quarters later.

Wealden MP Charles Hendry has been talking to Southern since timetable changes affected the Uckfield Line in May and he is asking commuters to contact him about the latest proposal.

Mr Hendry said he was grateful to Southern and their managing director Chris Burchell for the constructive approach they had taken in talks.

He said: “Following our first meeting they took quick action to provide extra coaches on the most crowded trains and I believe they are now doing all they can to improve the service and they are continuing to search for solutions to get people into London earlier.

“One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of an early morning service. People who need to be at work for 08.00 cannot get to London before 07.43 and this is simply not adequate.

“A journey of only 45 miles takes almost as long as it takes to get the 200 miles from York to London. The early morning Uckfield to London service must now be one of the slowest in the whole country.”

The MP would like to know whether commuters think the latest proposal would improve their journeys or whether it would make no difference or make it worse.

Here is the proposal as described by Southern franchise improvement director David Scorey in a letter to Mr Hendry:

"It is proposed the 06.00 from Uckfield be retimed to leave Uckfield 16 minutes earlier at 05.44 to arrive London Bridge at 06.56. This train would no longer be able to stop at Ashurst or Hever meaning the first train at these stations would be the 06.34 departure from Uckfield. However, we have identified a way to stop the train at Cowden at 06.12.

"The earlier departure from Uckfield enables the train to form a return working from London Bridge at 07.03 to arrive back in Uckfield to form the 08.34 departure.

"The 05.26 from East Croydon to Uckfield which arrives at 06.24 would be required to run five minutes earlier from East Croydon to Crowborough to permit the 05.44 from Uckfield to occupy the single line sections.

"It must be emphasised that in order to make this proposal work the empty stock movement of the train to form the 05.44 departure is timed to run immediately after the planned network engineering possession end times and consequently is a very tight turn round at Uckfield, with some performance risk.

"It is proposed the 05.44 Uckfield to London Bridge would operate with a 2-car train which has 107 Standard Class and 12 First Class seats. In the present timings, the 06.00 from Uckfield has an average of 85 passengers on board leaving Hurst Green. In the proposed timetable the average number of passengers expected to be on the train departing Oxted would be 135 meaning that some standing may occur from Oxted. The 06.34 from Uckfield to London Bridge will see a slight reduction in loading levels.

"We will monitor the loadings of this train if the proposal is implemented. As with any predictions of passenger loads we cannot be absolutely certain of the impact but the summary above represents our most informed view of the consequences of this change.

"Now that we have completed this analysis we are keen to give you the opportunity to comment on these proposals. Any change brings with it advantages for some and disadvantages for others. On balance we believe the proposed change will be beneficial in overall terms, but we wanted to give you an opportunity to comment before it is implemented.

"Subject to comments and receiving the necessary consent from the Department for Transport, we propose to introduce this change from the December timetable introduction this year. We would very much like to hear any views you have on this proposal."

If you would like to give your views on the idea Mr Hendry can be contacted via a contact form on his website.