Rail chiefs were today accused of providing a "third class service" by making life more difficult for rail users in Mid Sussex.

From next month, off-peak Connex passengers from Hassocks, Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield stations will have to change at East Croydon to reach London Victoria.The same change will apply for off-peak journeys in the other direction.

Hourly Connex trains to and from Victoria which previously started and finished at Brighton will instead start and finish at Chichester, going through Three Bridges but missing out Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield and Haywards Heath.

The hourly Gatwick to Rugby and Rugby to Gatwick services will be extended to Brighton but these go through West London and do not stop at Victoria.

Sunday trains and peak weekday services, from about 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm, will continue to run to Victoria from Hassocks, Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield, as will other Connex trains from Haywards Heath, both on and off-peak.

Connex spokesman David Ewart said: "It's part of our overall timetable improvements. We like to improve the level of service for the majority of customers and we believe we've done that.

"There is a great demand for cross-London services. The Brighton line is up to capacity already and there's a very good service interchange at East Croydon."

But Trevor Davey, chairman of Hassocks Amenity Association, is furious about the new timetables.

He said: "It's the thin end of the wedge. Whatever next? I thought we were on the London line, not having to change for the London line.

"The fares keep going up but it's a third class service. It's certainly not cheap to get up to London and the service just keeps getting worse.

"Mid Sussex seems to have borne the brunt of whatever cuts and changes they are making."

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