Evening Argus, 7 January 1969
The Minister of Transport has refused his consent to the closure of the lines between Hurst Green Junction and Uckfield (inclusive), and between Grove junction and Birchden junction, and of the stations at Edenbridge Town, Hever, Cowden, Ashurst, Eridge, Crowborough and Jarvis Brook, Buxted, Uckfield, Tunbridge Wells West and Groombridge.
The Minister has decided that there is a case on social and economic grounds for a grant to be paid under the provision of Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 to maintain modified services on both these sections of route, as part of grant-aid for the London commuter services as a whole.
Last August the Minister gave his consent for the withdrawal of passenger services between Uckfield and Lewes, subject to the provision of road licences for additional buses. He deferred his decision on the section of line between Uckfield and Hurst Green and between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells Central until he had considered the implications of grant aiding the revised services on these lines.
In November Southern Region (sic) of British Rail announced a revised timetable for the Hurst Green / Tunbridge Wells / Uckfield lines. the new service has been designed to allow for operation mainly over a single line.
The line between Lewes and Uckfield, which was scheduled for closure on January 6, remains open with a modified service because a decision has not yet been reached by the Traffic Commissioners on the granting of licences for additional bus services which the Minister has stipulated must be provided when the line is closed.