Dear MLAG supporter,
It is a pleasure to invite you to attend the AGM and Public Meeting of MarshLink Action Group, which will take place on Friday 19th June at 6.45pm.
As was the case last year, the meeting will be held in the agreeable surroundings of the Tudor Room at the Mermaid in Rye. There will be a cash bar in the room.
Following the AGM, there will be at 7pm the Public Meeting, at which senior managers from Southern and Network Rail will be speaking about issues that affect the service and strategic options for the future. Each presentation will be followed by Q&A sessions, so that there will be every opportunity to put any questions you may have.
The past year has seen some improvements to the reliability of the Marshlink service, compared to last summer, particularly in a reduction of cancellations. But there are of course some issues that remain, such as the very tight connection times at Ashford, which we know continue to cause problems for many users.
Over the past year MLAG has been engaging frequently with the Train Operating Companies to represent these and other concerns, alongside our colleagues from the different rail user groups that make up the Hastings and Rother Rail Users Alliance (HRRUA).
MLAG has also participated in meetings with Railfuture and the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, and given input to Network Rail’s East Sussex Coast & Marshlink Strategic Study. We are pleased to be welcoming back to Rye Paul Best from Network Rail, who will speak to us about the different long-term options that have been identified in the Study.
Earlier this year, MLAG made a submission to the Office of Rail and Road in support of applications to open up Temple Mills Depot in London for cross-channel operators other than Eurostar. The approval of this was a first and necessary step towards potential resumption of services from Ashford International to the continent, something that we are aware is a matter of great concern locally.
In July last year MLAG ran a stall at an event in Lewes marking the Rail 200 anniversary organised by the SCRP, and again at the Green Waves Festival at Tilling Green in August, together with our friends from Sussex Greenways. We expect to be present at the Green Waves Festival again this year, and at one or more other local fetes over the summer.
With the help of our members, MLAG is able to continue to campaign actively for improvements to the train service, and we are deeply grateful for your support.
At the AGM, we will table for approval by the membership a revised and updated version of the MLAG Constitution, which you will find attached here. At the present time we would not be looking to expand the committee, other than with representatives for Appledore and Ham Street stations, or with the addition of a regular commuter on the line. The existing committee members wish to present themselves for re-election. Should any member wish to contest any of the existing posts, nominations should be submitted ten days before the meeting (i.e. by June 9th).
Please feel free to mention the event to friends and acquaintances who may be able to attend, as the public meeting is not restricted to MLAG members.
We will hope to welcome you at the Mermaid on 19th June, and look forward to hearing your views about the rail service.
With best wishes,
Richard Williams, Chair
David Harris, Deputy Chair