North of Malling - September 2001

The site of the second of the large bridges across the Ouse on the abandoned route out of Lewes, just north of the site of the previous photograph.

The rambler in the foreground is standing on the southern abutment of the demolished bridge, with its ivy-covered northern counterpart visible in the middle distance on the opposite bank.

In the far distance is the filled-in cutting near Hamsey church; what appears to be a wall on the skyline is in fact all that is now visible of a substantial arched bridge.

Although reconstruction of this section of route would have the useful benefit of allowing direct trains from Brighton to Uckfield, Crowborough and beyond, thanks to the loss of massive structures like the Ouse bridges and heavy development south of the cutting, it is simply not economically feasible.

While the destruction of this section of route was certainly a major blow to the local transport infrastructure -- and was soon seen as such -- the essence of the Wealden Line Campaign is to concentrate on the positive. This means working to restore the Lewes Uckfield link on its original 1858 alignment, which will still offer local people good rail connections to Brighton -- and also the opportunity for direct trains to both Seaford and Eastbourne. (Grid Ref. TQ 413 118)