The Wealden Line Campaign is backing an Uckfield councillor's call for the town's old station site to be returned to use as a car park. Many rail travellers are struggling to use the town's new improved train service because the current station only has 13 parking spaces; some are even driving up to Buxted in search of somewhere to park.

Now Town Councillor Duncan Bennett has added his voice to the Wealden Line Campaign's long-standing call for something to be done. The common-sense solution must be to use the large former station site, which is only yards away from the present station, and has simply stood empty since 1991.

However, the Environment Agency claims that this might constitute a flood risk, even comparing the town with Boscastle - the Cornish village that was struck by a flash flood last year.

Before this government agency intervenes in this issue, we believe its well-paid bureaucrats should bear in mind the following:

1) The former station site was safely used as a parking area by generations of rail travellers from at least the 1940s until the site was closed in 1991. We have not heard of ONE case of injury caused by flooding during this time.

2) Because they are equally or even lower lying than the former station site, the following areas are AT LEAST as prone to flooding:

- land outside Cock and Bull pub
- the Roller Mill car park
- Mill Lane
- the large Wealden District Council car park behind the Somerfield supermarket
- the short term car park behind Bridge Cottage
- Halfords' car park
- McDonalds' car park
- many industrial unit car parks on Bell Lane Estate

So if the former station site is unsafe for parking, then so are these places - which begs the question: why doesn't the Environment Agency close them now?

And if it doesn't act to do something - why not? Isn't it supposed to protect public safety?

3) Flooding in Uckfield is typically preceded by prolonged heavy rain - eg as in January 1994 and October 2000. In other words, we can expect ample warning that flooding is possible.

So, even if the station site were in use as a car park, there would be plenty of time for it to be closed off.

4) The Environment Agency loves to talk about all sorts of theoretical risks that people might face. But what about the risks that travellers face if they have to drive all or part of the way to their destinations rather than use the much safer trains - simply because they can't find anywhere to to park?

In the past few weeks, in addition to a fatal accident in Uckfield High Street itself, three people have died in a two-car crash on the A272. This is a road that many people from the Uckfield area use to reach alternative rail services at Haywards Heath.

"It's about time that people took notice of what councillors like Duncan Bennett are saying," said Brain Hart, Wealden Line Campaign Director. "Unlike the mandarins from the Environment Agency, they live in Uckfield and they know what's best for the town."

"We've said before that there's no point in having this super new train service if people can't use it - and we'll keep on saying it. There's been a lot of talk about more parking for Uckfield station, but now it's time for some action. And with elections in the offing, people will have a chance to make their minds up about who's trying to get something done, and who's just going through the motions."

11 April 2005