Green MEP to Champion 'Fairer Fares' for rail travellers in Lewes this March

As those residents of Sussex who use public transport already know, over inflationary price increases were imposed at the beginning of 2011, when the Coalition Government decided to remove the price rise inflation cap on rail travel, opening the way for the privately owned Train Operating Companies to make more profits whilst investing less into important infrastructure projects. From a bus service perspective, 70 per cent of local councils are currently planning to make cuts in the funding of local bus routes. Rural and evening bus services baring the brunt of such cuts, whilst impacting on lower income families who rely on such services the most.

All these price increases and transport cuts come after the Coalition promised the public fairer fares when they came to power. This came at a time when the Coalition claimed to be the ‘greenest’ Government of modern times. This came after the Lib Dems campaigned before the election offering ‘A Fair Deal for Fare Payers’ as one of their main election posters. This also came at a time with our local LibDem MP Norman Baker firmly placed at the helm of national transport policy, as a Transport Minister. Norman Baker now says that there needs to be a review of future rail increases for 2012, but its all seems a little late now.

In reaction to the issues of local authorities reducing funding on local bus services, MP Norman Baker recently said: ‘It’s part of the localism agenda that local people will now be able to hold their local authority to account if they disagree with decisions they have made.’

Lewes Green Party believe this comment shows how little sympathy he has for families that are already coping with VAT increases and substantial food and fuel inflation. So as Norman Baker says, blame it all on local government rather than his coalition government which is imposing the cuts from above, but takes no responsibility – apparently – for where the axe falls.

On Friday March 4th, Green MEP for the South East, Keith Taylor, will be campaigning with Lewes District Green Party Councillors outside Lewes Railway Station from 7-9am about ‘Fairer Fares’. Please feel free to join the Lewes Greens and discuss with Keith about how the public can lobby local and central government to reconsider their position on local and national transport funding. This comes at a time when true commitment also needs to be shown from both Lewes Town, Lewes District and East Sussex County Councils toward the potential new Brighton Mainline Rail Link (BML2).

BML2 is the brainchild of Project Manager Brian Hart. Brian has worked tirelessly over the decades for finding a solution to the immanent capacity issues on the existing Brighton to London Line. BML2 is a concept that could justify the reinstatement of the Lewes to Uckfield Line, with a link at Falmer and a spur to Lewes and beyond. See http://www.bml2.co.uk/ for further details.

Lewes District Green Party have continued to support the aims of BML2 and project Manager Brian Hart as he encounters continued opposition from the predominant LibDem lead Lewes Town and District Councils. This is in addition the real fear that East Sussex County Council will jeopardise any future of use the Uckfield to Lewes Rail alignment by approving a new road network around Uckfield that would sever it. Lewes Greens are perplexed as to why a local MP within the Transport Cabinet is not going the ‘extra mile’ to ensure there are safeguards from local authorities in Sussex and National Government for any future rail schemes.

Sadly, Lewes Town Council voted against BML2 back in October 2011, but prospective Lewes Green Party councillor Matt Kent has recently asked the Town Council to reconsider their position when there is a new administration, after the local Town and District Elections in May.

Green Town Councillor Susan Murray can be contacted for further questions on 01273 473912. Green Party MEP for the South East, Keith Taylor, can be contacted for questions on 020 7164 2153.