It’s ‘unhelpful’ when local Labour politicians start ‘scaremongering’ according to Hastings MP Amber Rudd.

Ms Rudd has hit out at claims by local Labour politicians that there would be no investment on local rail infrastructure by Network Rail for the next five years.

She says: “This is of course untrue. As Network Rail themselves say, Hastings to London journey time improvement is key to long term plans.”

Since becoming MP for the constituency in 2010 Ms Rudd says she has, “worked hard to improve our railways and roads.”

She says that improvements and investment mean local people are now able to enjoy a ‘fast and affordable service’ that takes just 75 mins in and out of London Bridge.

Ms Rudd says: “It has also included a new fast service for Tunbridge Wells commuters in the morning as well as new faster and reliable connections from Rye and Hastings to London St Pancras and Stratford through Ashford International.

“More recently, we have seen an enhanced turn up and go metro Coastway service of four trains per hour between Hastings and our neighbouring towns of Bexhill and Eastbourne. There is also a new four car electric service between Hastings to Brighton finally replacing the overcrowded two car diesel service implemented by the previous administration.”

According to the MP there have also been ‘huge improvements’ to improve the service passengers receive during times of disruption, including inter–ticketing arrangements with local bus firms.

“Last week, during the landslip, I secured with Southern trains extra capacity for the Ashford to Eastbourne service with four car trains borrowed from the Uckfield line and a fleet of buses to cover the capacity needed on the Uckfield route as well as the closed section of the Hastings line. I hope this went some way to compensating for the disruption you may have experienced,” she says

Ms Rudd also highlights the reduced driving times between Hastings and Bexhill during peak times with the completion of the link road, coupled with reduced driving times on the A21 as a result of the completion of the Pembury bypass.

“I know there is more to do so that you all get the best possible journey times. And working with the Transport Secretary and his team of Ministers I am working hard to bring faster and better services to Hastings.

“What is unhelpful, frankly, is for the local Labour party to be scaremongering. I understand that the Labour Party recently told residents there were no plans for Network Rail investment over the next five years. This is of course untrue. As Network Rail themselves say, Hastings to London journey time improvement is key to long term plans.

“I am working with Network Rail, Transport for the South East and others to deliver the best results for you,” she says.