After nearly five years without a direct rail link to London Bridge, Eastbourne locals are set to regain this vital connection in December 2025. The twice-daily service, which was discontinued in 2020 amid pandemic-related reductions, will restart on December 15, operating Monday to Thursday. The journey will take approximately one and a half hours, with trains departing Eastbourne at 6:48 am and returning from London Bridge at 5:03 pm, stopping at Lewes along the way.

The reinstatement is the result of persistent campaigning led by Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde, who actively engaged with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Network Rail, and the Department for Transport. Highlighting the inconvenience caused by the route’s absence, residents had lamented that it was sometimes quicker to travel from Paris to London than from Eastbourne itself. To galvanise public support, Babarinde organised a petition displayed as a giant ticket outside Eastbourne station, amassing thousands of signatures. He expressed his pleasure at the outcome, describing the return of the service as “a huge victory for our town” and emphasised the positive impact it would have on local commuters and the economy.

Babarinde’s efforts included lobbying rail operators and ministers in the House of Commons, with backing from local organisations such as the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce and figures including Dave Cooper MBE. The MP has underlined the importance of restoring direct connections, especially in light of the fact that nearby towns like Brighton benefit from multiple London destinations, such as London Bridge, St Pancras International, and Farringdon, while Eastbourne had been limited to London Victoria.

Govia Thameslink Railway’s Customer Services Director, Jenny Saunders, welcomed the reinstatement, confirming the company had listened to customer feedback and acknowledging the service as a sought-after convenience for Eastbourne residents.

This development arrives amidst broader timetable adjustments affecting Southern services in the region. Recent changes have added late-night options between Hastings and Eastbourne to enhance travel flexibility, signalling ongoing efforts to improve connectivity. Although a disruption incident at Eastbourne station in May 2025 briefly affected services, normal operations resumed swiftly without long-term impact on plans to restore direct links to London Bridge.

For Eastbourne, the resumption of the London Bridge service not only restores a vital commuting route but also potentially boosts local commerce and tourism by improving accessibility to the capital, reversing a trend of diminished direct rail connections seen over recent years.

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Source: Noah Wire Services