Cowden - December 2003

On the weekend of 13-14 December, contractors for Network Rail renewed a 1,383-yard stretch of track through Mark Beech tunnel, laying 1,936 sleepers and using 1,584 tons of ballast in the process.

To minimise disruption, a length of new track was laid next to the existing life-expired section and then track at each end was slewed to connect with it, allowing the now isolated section of old track to be cut up and removed.

Following the relaying operation, Network Rail issued a gushing press release, claiming that the £800,000 project demonstrated its commitment to 'rebuilding Britain's railways'. But welcome though such work is, in operational terms nothing has changed. The track is still single, the line still stops dead at Uckfield -- and passengers will notice no difference whatsoever.

Perhaps before they put out more publicity in the same vein, Network Rail's PR department should pause and reflect on the fact that in 1969 this was a double track through-route from Lewes to Oxted -- and was linked to the Hastings line at Tunbridge Wells.

If a start were made on restoring some of these features, talk of 'rebuilding Britain's railways' would seem a little less hollow. (Grid Ref. TQ 475 421)