Direct East Sussex-London train to be reinstated

A rail link between two East Sussex towns and London discontinued during the pandemic is being brought back, a train company has announced.

Govia Thameslink Railway said from December a direct train will run in the morning between Eastbourne, Lewes and London Bridge and return in the evening, after calls by customers.

The service, which will run Monday to Thursday, is set to make commuting to the capital "much easier", the rail operator said.

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde - making the announcement alongside Thamelink - said he had campaigned for direct train service to be restored following its withdrawal in 2020.

The Liberal Democrat, who took a giant ticket-shaped petition to Eastbourne station while campaigning, said the change would have a "positive impact" on the town.

"This is a huge victory," he added.

Eastbourne previously only had a direct train service to London Victoria.

Thameslink said the Covid pandemic had had a "devastating impact" on the rail industry.

Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said the company was doing everything it could do to encourage people back to using rail services, which it called the "most sustainable form of public transport".

The new Monday to Thursday service will depart from Eastbourne at 06:48, arriving at London Bridge for 08:25.

The return service will leave London Bridge at 17:03 and reach Eastbourne at 18:34.

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