Welcome to SHRIMP - St Leonards and Hastings Rail Improvement Programme. SHRIMP is a voluntary non partisan group. We do not support, or receive financial support from, any political party
"That is why a bright summer morning found me winding through the bee-loud Sussex countryside on the slow train to Hastings.
There was nothing whimsical about my transport choice, there is only a slow train to Hastings. That is one of the reasons why Newsnight picked it as the place where we should put all the fine talk of a 'big society' to the test.
For somewhere so close to London and the giant engine of its economy, Hastings is comparatively isolated. It is no further from the capital than Brighton, but the trains take twice as long to get there." Stephen Smith, BBC Newsnight, 14th July 2010
Please CLICK HERE to participate in the SHRIMP survey.
As anyone who uses trains to/from Hastings, be it for business or leisure, will know, the journey times to anywhere, in comparison with other regional hubs such as Ashford and Brighton, are TOO LONG.It isn't good enough.
All the investment - which Hastings' rail users helped to fund - has gone to to East Kent and Brighton while Hastings gets another bad deal. It isn't good enough.
Hastings is repeatedly told it is a deprived area in need of regeneration, but despite the lauded input of funds not much has improved. Nicer stations and trains do not equate to faster journeys. It isn't good enough.
But there may be some light at the end of at least one of the tunnels; the politicians were listening during the run-up to the election and the new MP - Amber Rudd - is following her predecessor Michael Foster's efforts to keep this issue at the top of the agenda. What's more there are encouraging 'noises' coming from the Department of Transport (sorry, but we cannot expand on that at the moment) which suggest that the axeing of the Cannon St direct services may be open to positive review. We'll be watching and so should you!
Further, the proposed sell-off of the High Speed (HS1) line will open up the possibilities of extra service options from Ashford to the continent, perhaps with direct trains into Germany. Hastings, via the Marshlink line, must be put in a position where it can benefit from such developments. That requires some infrastructure development. SOON.
These matters must be kept at the top of the agenda; better transport links are essential to the future prosperity of Hastings. And in this age of austerity it must be noted that it will not take mega-bucks to improve things.
SHRIMP calls on the people and businesses of Hastings, St Leonards and Rother, together with a cross-political alliance, to continue to help us to help Hastings.
APPEAL - Would you or your organisation be willing to help by sponsoring a future flyer/poster campaign? Or maybe with a carnival float? Contact us via info@1066shrimprail.co.uk. Thank you!
Latest News
Welcome to our Quarter Two Newsletter, again our voluntary team have been busy working in partnership with East Sussex County Council, Amber Rudd MP, Hastings Borough Council, South Eastern Trains and Southern Trains to drive forward better, faster and value for money rail transport solutions to Hastings and St Leonards. read more... |
SHRIMP is voicing it's concern over a dangerous pedestrian crossing in Station Approach. The crossing, just inside Station Approach at the traffic lights, has lowered and studded pavements but no pedestrian lights. read more... |
On Tuesday afternoon reps from SHRIMP met with Labour transport spokesperson Lord Adonis, a meeting kindly facilitated by Michael Foster at SHRIMP's request read more... |
It's been a busy week for Politicians in Hastings and SHRIMP are encouraged to note that rail links have featured prominently in recent discussions. read more... |
Hastings MP Michael Foster's response to ORR (Office of Rail Regulation) read more... |