The MP for Sussex Weald has called on ministers and rail operators to prioritise investment in the Uckfield Line, warning that the route serving her constituency is suffering from persistent reliability issues.
Nusrat Ghani has raised concerns about ongoing timetable alterations, regular service cancellations, and insufficient replacement bus provisions affecting passengers across multiple stations in the area.
During a recent discussion with the rail operator, the MP challenged the company over inconsistent passenger information systems, disparities in fare structures, and the absence of strategic planning to accommodate rising passenger numbers.
Ghani highlighted that a single journey from Uckfield to London is priced at £37, while a comparable distance from Berwick to London costs £78, describing the discrepancy as unjustifiable.
The parliamentarian also condemned the operator’s failure to engage with the government’s housing department regarding thousands of planned residential developments in the region, which she warned would place additional strain on the existing rail infrastructure.
Although the rail company has indicated it will examine its communication procedures and address concerns where feasible, Ghani stated that no substantial evidence of capital investment has been presented.
The MP has pledged to persist in her campaign for infrastructure improvements along the line and has urged local residents experiencing difficulties to contact her constituency office to report their experiences.
Commuters have reported significant inconvenience due to last-minute service withdrawals and inadequate alternative transport arrangements, with operators attributing recent disruption to elevated temperatures and various external circumstances.