The Wealden Line Campaign is fighting plans by the preserved Spa Valley Railway to build a new station on the Eridge to Tunbridge Wells rail route, which was closed by BR in 1985.

The campaign has lodged an official objection with Wealden District Council to the railway's plans to build a 91-m long platform on part of the track at Harrison's Rocks, near Groombridge, on the grounds that it will make it harder to restore the line as part of the national network in future.

"There have been many objections to the planned concrete and steel platform environmental grounds already," said Campaign Director Brian Hart, "but our concern is that because the new platform will block off half the trackbed, it will become yet another obstacle to restoring this route as part of a restored Tunbridge Wells - Uckfield - Lewes link. Double track will be needed here to offer a decent service, and this new platform will make that impossible."

In the spring, the campaign was involved in a similar planning battle when the Spa Valley Railway wanted to allow a mobile phone installation to block half the trackbed at Tunbridge Wells.

"We were successful on that occasion because planners realised that this sort of development would wreck the route for the future," said Mr Hart. "Now, this latest plan threatens to make a farce of Wealden District Council's trackbed protection policy, TR8, which was expressly designed to prevent the route being degraded in this way."

A point made in favour of the new station is that it represents a step towards restoring the Eridge - Tunbridge Wells link, as it will extend the Spa Valley Railway's operations. However, there will be no connection with Uckfield line trains and it will only be served by infrequent preserved trains, mostly at weekends and bank holidays.

"Make no mistake, this is a tourist attraction, not a public service," said Mr Hart, "and it's just wishful thinking to believe that a few 20-mph steam specials will grow into the modern rail link that Kent and East Sussex people need."

"Not only will this new station do nothing to ease road congestion in the Crowborough - Tunbridge Wells corridor, but ironically, it will harm the long term prospects of our local rail system. Developments like this are gradually turning an important transport asset for the local community into a museum."

Notes for editors:

1) Harrison's Rocks is an outstanding beauty spot on the Kent-East Sussex border, where massive sandstone outcrops are set in an idyllic woodland setting. It has long been popular with local ramblers and climbers.

2) The Spa Valley Railway wants to build its new station on the site of the former 'down' line near the disused Birchden junction, where the Tunbridge Wells route used to leave the Uckfield line. It also plans to construct a tourist picnic area in the 'V' between the two lines.

3) The Eridge - Tunbridge Wells route was closed by BR in July 1985, to save money on the Hastings electrification scheme. The closure was contrary to the recommendations of the then rail watchdog, the Transport Users Consultative Committee, which had called for the line to be improved. The route now forms part of East Sussex County Council's Central Rail Corridor proposals, which call for restored services from Tunbridge Wells to Lewes and the coast.

4 June 2003