Strikes planned by RTM union drivers and guards during the annual Brighton Pride celebrations in August have been suspended after intervention from Chris Grayling MP. The Secretary of State invited the RTM Union’s General Secretary, Mike Cash for direct talks on the condition the strike action was suspended.
Following a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and representatives from the BML2 Consortium organised by Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, the Transport Secretary has agreed to look at a more detailed feasibility study for the BML2 project when the Consortium can provide more information later this year.
Simon Kirby MP will meet with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP and representatives from the BML2 Project Group on Monday morning. BML2 is a proposal among other things to create a second Brighton Main Line to London to relieve pressure on one of the country’s most overcrowded rail routes, for the benefit of Brighton commuters travelling into London and restoring a rail link between Uckfield and Lewes.
Local Labour politicians express disappointment as Gatwick expansion plans turned down in favour of third runway at Heathrow. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP announced this morning that the government had decided on a third runway at Heathrow to increase the country’s airport capacity rather than a second runway at Gatwick in Sussex.
Government create £20 million fund to help improve performance of the Southern network and train services.
