Wealden Line Campaign Director Brian Hart has warned supporters of the danger of a "West Pier Syndrome" hitting the campaign to restore the Uckfield line as a through route. "Although our aim is to revitalise local public transport rather than restore a tourist attraction," said Mr Hart, "recent events in Brighton provide a timely reminder that endless discussion of a project can never be a substitute for action."

Over the forthcoming year the key challenge for the campaign is to get this message across to the Strategic Rail Authority and the government. "Our local MPs and councillors know what needs to be done and are backing us all the way," he said. "Unfortunately, there are still too many people higher up who spend all their time churning out soundbites and bits of paper, mistaking this for a real transport policy."

While, thankfully, the sea isn't eroding the closed sections of track that the campaign wants to see reopened, they face constant and growing pressure from developers who want to use the land, particularly in the Uckfield area. "The rising tide of road congestion across much of East Sussex and Kent, threatens to engulf us all," he warned, pointing out that places such as Brighton, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells are rapidly reaching crisis point.

"This means that constantly putting off decisions is no solution." said Mr Hart. "We know that funds are limited, but we also know that we have an excellent case for rail investment. This route was well-used over 30 years ago, when towns like Uckfield, Crowborough and Lewes were far smaller. Even without more houses being crammed into the South East, there is now a critical need for a real alternative to yet more and more cars."

One example of this was East Sussex County Council's "Streets Ahead" consultation exercise on Lewes's dire transport problems, held last autumn. No less than 81.3% of respondents backed the idea of a restored Wealden Line, with most giving the project an approval rating of 5 points - the maximum allowed.*

Although 2002 proved a frustrating year, Mr Hart remained optimistic for 2003, which will see South Central's new Turbostar fleet on the Uckfield line. "At last, these trains will take the line from the 1950s into the 21st century," he said. "And when travellers see them, they will want to know why they can't catch one to Lewes. Once we have these modern trains, all we'll need is just seven miles of track to complete a new railway from London to the Sussex coast."

* Lewes Streets Ahead, Autumn 2002: Evaluation and Feedback, East Sussex CC, p. 32.

1 January 2003