In 2000, Southern took over management, and pledged to invest £5 million in improving customer service across its network. However, the Marshlink line continued to attract criticism for its poor service and lack of modernisation; Norman Baker, MP for Lewes described it, after travelling on the Eurostar from Brussels to Ashford International, as "a 1954 diesel train, which shunts along like Thomas the Tank Engine at about 10 mph from Ashford to Hastings." The line closed for nine weeks from January to March 2012 for essential repair work to Ore tunnel, which was at risk of seeping water. The embankment between Ashford International and Ham Street was repaired, and the bridges next to Doleham and Three Oaks were rebuilt. There was also maintenance to signals to increase train speeds along the line. Network Rail planned to complete the work before patronage increased during the summer. The lengthy closure was criticised by MPs whose constituencies the line ran through, who questioned why the entire line had to close in one go as opposed to individual sections at a time. In May 2018, Southern announced the cancellation of the direct service from Ashford International to Brighton, with Marshlink services only extending to Eastbourne. The company defended the decision as it would improve capacity between Eastbourne and Hastings, and removing a 2 carriage diesel service from the electrified and often overcrowded Brighton – Eastbourne line, but their proposals were criticised by various councillors whose wards lay on the route. Listed buildings The Marshlink line contains several listed buildings along its route, which show architectural or historical merit. Accidents and incidents Accidents occurring at Ashford and Hastings stations are not covered. On 30 April 1852, driver John Hadley was killed at Ham Street station when he went to inspect a locomotive boiler which exploded as he approached it. On 27 December 1898, eight passengers were injured when a horse box was roughly shunted and collided with the passenger train it was to be attached to at Appledore. On 14 March 1980, an empty stock train comprising five Hastings Unit vehicles derailed at Appledore due to excessive speed through a set of points. The driver was killed. A motor coach was consequently withdrawn from service due to extensive damage. On 26 April 1984, a train carrying a nuclear flask on the Dungeness goods branch hit a car on an open level crossing close to Brookland.