Letter from the Ministry of Transport - 18 February 1969

Although, unfortunately, we do not have Mr Morgan's original letter, it is clear that he had asked that the transport minister's original decision in favour of closure be reviewed in the light of the hardship it would cause.

It also seems likely that he made some reference to the possibililty of saving the line by making a short diversion over the so-called Hamsey loop, allowing trains to approach Lewes via the electrified route from Keymer junction on the Brighton line.

This is broadly the route that the Wealden Line Campaign advocates today.

Our reference: RB 3/5/052
Your reference:

18 February, 1969.

Dear Sir,

I have been asked to reply to your letter received on 21st January and to advise you that the Minister has no powers to reverse his consent to the closure of the rail passenger services between Uckfield and Lewes.

I can assure you that the Minister's decision was only taken after the most careful consideration of all the factors involved. The Minister appreciates that train/bus journeys are less convenient than travelling throughout by train but he has arranged suitable connecting services to be introduced at peak periods. As you may know the Traffic Commissioners have asked the operators to review these proposed bus journeys and existing buses operating in the area to see what improvements can be made. In particular they have suggested some diversions from the route of Service No. 19 to and from Barcombe Mills Station which would benefit users of this station particularly when flooding occurs in Barcombe Lane.

When the Railways Board published their closure proposal for the Hurst Green - Lewes services and those on associated lines they also indicated that should the Minister's decision require the continuance of the railway passenger services between Barcombe Mills and Lewes it was proposed to close the line "between a point 425 yards north east of the bridge carrying the line over the River Ouse at Hamsey and Lewes Station and to divert these passenger services over a line to be constructed between same point and a junction 365 yards south of Hamsey level crossing on the line between Cooksbridge and Lewes". Since the Minister did not consider that he would be justified in requiring the Board to continue to operate these services, the question of this alternative does not at present arise. However the Board have the statutory power to acquire the land for re-construction of the Hamsey Loop should future developments in the area make it a desirable and economic proposition to restore these passenger services. Present evidence does not show much likelihood of this.

Yours faithfully,

(S. G. ISAAC)

Mr. G. Morgan,
Clappers Cottage,
Isfield,
Near Uckfield,
Sussex.