'Space trip quicker' than London to Lewes train, MP claims

Maria Caulfield suggested that astronaut Tim Peake's journey into space was almost quicker than her trip home to Lewes

An MP has said it is almost "quicker to fly to space" than to travel to the south coast from London by train.

Conservative Maria Caulfield made the comments about her journey to Lewes ahead of calls for the government to force train firms to improve services.

On Tuesday, British astronaut Tim Peake took six-and-a-half hours to get to the International Space Station.

Southern rail said recent services had been hit by infrastructure problems, train faults and staffing issues.

British astronaut Tim Peake boarded the International Space Station six-and-a-half hours after blasting off from Kazakhstan

Passengers faced cancellations and severe delays on Tuesday because of signal faults.

Commuters in the South East have also suffered months of disruption because of rebuilding work at London Bridge.

'Isn't funny'

Ms Caulfield, who represents Lewes, described Southern rail services as "poor" and tweeted: "Almost quicker to fly to space station by rocket than get home to Lewes by train.

"Southern MPs joining forces in New Year to force action."

She also told the BBC: "I've had constituents two hours late. These are people trying to get to work.

"They are late in the morning, they get home late, they're missing flights from Gatwick and important meetings.

"This isn't funny anymore. These are often people paying nearly £5,000 a year for their season ticket."

Southern operates services between London, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent

In May, figures from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed a fifth of trains operated by Southern did not meet arrival time targets.

Southern services were also branded "an appalling joke" in parliament by Labour MP for Streatham Chuka Umunna, and criticised by Reigate's Conservative MP Crispin Blunt.

Mr Umunna said: "Southern trains have admitted that they don't even have enough drivers and they don't have enough decent trains - basic things in providing a service.

"They have broken promise after promise, enough is enough."

Commons leader Chris Grayling replied: "I understand the pressures on the line which passes through your constituency and of course they are affected by the massive investment taking place at London Bridge.

"I take note of the comments that you make. I'll make sure the transport secretary is aware of them."

In a statement, Southern apologised "for the level of service" passengers had experienced.

"We assure our passengers that at Network Rail and Southern, we are working very hard on the prevention of further issues."

Southern operates services between London, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent.