Local Rail Services

As a daily commuter to Parliament, the state of our railway personally impacts me as well so I want to assure constituents that I not only understand but I experience it too and have done so for the last fifteen years as a season-ticket holder.

I have a real passion for rail. It regenerates areas, connects us with our nation and pushes new frontiers. Having spent 7 years on the Transport Select Committee, the last two as Chairman, I've had a great insight into rail. I appreciate the problems we face and the people who can address them.

I am delighted to have been appointed Minister of State at the Department for Transport by the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Rail and HS2 in October 2022. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges this new role brings and remain focussed on ensuring that rail services, both local and national, deliver for communities and business.

News

Delivering the case for transport

Friday, 27 April, 2018

This week, I was successful in calling for a Westminster Hall debate on ‘Transport for the South East’. This is the name of a new transport body which has been set up by local authorities and enterprise partnerships spanning 7.5m residents in the south east.

Huw speaks up for local transport improvements

Monday, 5 March, 2018

Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, took the opportunity to raise local transport issues for East Sussex during a debate on transport in Parliament last week.

Local MPs praise rail user groups

Wednesday, 28 February, 2018

Local MPs, Amber Rudd and Huw Merriman, have welcomed the successful local campaign to provide a new Southern Railway timetable.

Debate on Transport

Tuesday, 27 February, 2018

Today Huw gave a speech in the debate on Transport. In the speech Huw drew attention to local transport in East Sussex, the A259 and the Transport Select Committee Report on Community Transport.

Rail Fares need to be reduced

Friday, 5 January, 2018

The New Year ushers in bad news on fare increases.

Celebrate the successes of rail privatisation – and push for further reform to reduce fares

Thursday, 4 January, 2018

It’s high time for us Conservatives to proclaim that the model of privatised train operators has delivered where nationalisation had failed. This is not difficult. The number of rail passengers has doubled since privatisation and the day to day running of trains now largely pays for itself.

Faster Journeys for Local Passengers

Wednesday, 29 November, 2017

The Department for Transport has today (Wednesday 29 November) published the Invitation To Tender (ITT) for the next South Eastern Franchise. The document set out a plan for high quality, frequent and reliable services, for a railway which is fit for the future and which ensures that South Eastern rail services contribute towards supporting economic growth and opportunity.
The document sets out how faster services will operate between London and Hastings, Rye, Bexhill and Battle. The ITT also explicitly encourages bidders for the next franchise to put forward ambitious and innovative proposals to deliver High Speed services between London St Pancras, Rye, Hastings and Bexhill.

Huw calls for Automatic Compensation for Travel Delays

Wednesday, 22 November, 2017

Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, brought a bill before Parliament yesterday that called for automatic compensation for passengers who experience delays or cancellations to their journeys.

Southern Strike Deal: MPs Hail End to Disruption

Friday, 10 November, 2017

Local MPs, Amber Rudd and Huw Merriman, have today warmly welcomed the decision by train drivers from the Aslef union to bring to an end their 18 month strike action on Southern Rail.

Back on track with Southern Railway

Friday, 10 November, 2017

Having used this column to grapple for optimism, or bemoan the latest setback, I am delighted that the 09.17 Southern service has now left 'hopeful' and arrived at 'resolution'. Yes, an end really is in sight for the terrible industrial relations afflicting Southern Rail.