What are your aims?
Simply to restore passenger train services between Tunbridge Wells and Lewes and upgrade the existing line from Uckfield to Hurst Green, with eventual electrification. This would create a fast new Wealden Line, linking Kent and East Sussex and provide two additional routes between London and the South Coast; one via Oxted and the other via Tonbridge (see map).
When did you begin your campaign?
In 1986, although many individual members had been active in fighting for the restoration of the Uckfield-Lewes line since the early 1970s.
Is the campaign a club for rail enthusiasts?
No.
We are promoting the line's development because we think it will provide a much-needed transport service for the area -- not a spectacle for railfans.
Are you a preservation society like the Bluebell Railway?
Definitely not.
Preserved lines like the Bluebell Railway are effectively working museums, not transport services. In contrast, we want the closed lines to be restored as a modern part of the national rail network, served by frequent trains between London and the South Coast.
Is reopening still feasible?
Yes.
The route of the railway has been protected since 1975 and most obstacles on the trackbed are superficial; others can be overcome. A recent report for East Sussex County Council by consultants Mott MacDonald found that reopening would present no major engineering problems.
A "consultation document" issued by the Spa Valley Railway, an enthusiasts' group that operates preserved trains between Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells stated that the link between the site of the former West station and the Hastings line is "irrevocably severed". This is not correct, although remedial work would not be cheap.
What about the supermarket built on the trackbed at Tunbridge Wells?
The the main structure of the supermarket was deliberately built so that there was sufficient space on the north side to allow the rebuilding of the railway. Only the toilet block would need to be moved.
Sainsburys has already pledged in writing to do this if necessary.
What sort of train services would operate?
Ultimately this would depend on business decisions taken by the train operating company. However, the following services would become possible:
- Seaford / Eastbourne - London Victoria via Uckfield and Oxted
- Seaford / Eastbourne - Tonbridge via Uckfield (these could continue to London Bridge, for example, thus completely avoiding the congested Brighton line and providing new travel possibilities between Kent and Sussex)
At the same time, with a change at Lewes, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells would again have a practical rail link via Uckfield and Crowborough.
How much further is it to London via Uckfield?
From Lewes it is just 5 miles; so instead of 50 miles to London, it is 55 via Uckfield.
What value would the route have for diversions?
Although parts of the Brighton line are quadruple track, there is a double track bottleneck on the stretch between Keymer Junction (Wivelsfield) and Balcombe Tunnel junction (Three Bridges). Because this section includes two viaducts and two tunnels it is not economic to add further tracks. When this section is blocked, trains between Brighton and London can run via the Arun Valley line (80 miles) but other destinations have to be served by buses.
A reopened Uckfield-Lewes link would create a diversionary London-Brighton route of only 62 miles and allow Eastbourne and Seaford to London trains to continue running.
What would be the effect on the environment of reopening.
A recent survey by the University of Sussex stated that whatever loss of habitat occurred due to the reconstruction of the route would be far outweighed by the environmental benefits of reduced road traffic.
What other benefits would there be?
Both Tunbridge Wells and Brighton suffer from worsening road congestion. At Tunbridge Wells this is aggravated by ex-Uckfield line commuters driving over to get a better train service.
A restored rail service would provide an attractive alternative to the private car, providing a 'carrot' to complement the 'stick' of increasingly draconian parking restrictions.
If Seaford were to become the terminus for a new London service, the port of Newhaven, which is one of the South East's most depressed areas, would gain a direct link to the capital, providing a useful spur to economic recovery. It would also provide a useful direct link to the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry service.
How much would reopening cost?
The latest estimate for a restored Lewes - Uckfield rail link, built to the same standard as the current Uckfield - Hurst Green route, is £50m, plus or minus 20%.
This figure is based on an engineering survey of the route, which was carried out in the winter of 2004/2005.
Where does East Sussex County Council stand?
Having been instrumental in beginning the destruction of the route in the late 1960s while also regretting its loss, the council's position today remains equivocal.
On the one hand, it has recently been active in efforts to restore the route through the Central Corridor Rail Board, which includes local MPs and councillors and is designed to coordinate progress on the scheme.
On the other hand, council officers in the Transport and Environment department have continued to produce road proposals for the Uckfield area, which, if carried out, would render the project practically impossible.
They have also blocked plans to create more rail car parking in Uckfield, claiming, contrary to all the evidence, that no further spaces are needed.
What is the position of local MPs?
Recognising the considerable benefits which a local rail revival could bring to their constituents, both Norman Baker (Lewes) and Charles Hendry (Wealden) are active supporters of the Wealden Line Campaign. We pay tribute to the way in which both men have given so generously of their time.
Brighton Kemp Town MP Des Turner has also taken an active role in supporting the campaign, recognising the benefits of better links between London and the South Coast.
What is the Central Rail Corridor?
In 1996 a group of local authorities, of which East Sussex County Council was one unexpectedly put forward proposals to reopen both the Uckfield - Lewes and Eridge - Tunbridge Wells routes, as had been proposed for the previous 10 years by the Wealden Line Campaign.
The name chosen was the "Central Rail Corridor": these proposals correspond to the restored Wealden Line which we are campaigning for.
Would the new services need any subsidy?
No.
The scheme would transform the loss-making Uckfield stub into a profitable through-route.
What is your relationship with the preserved lines operating on the route?
We are independent from these organisations.
Though we recognise that their members have put in a lot of work, unfortunately it seems unlikely that they will ever be in a position to provide a frequent public service as part of the national rail network.
Instead, we hope that they will now join local MPs and councillors in supporting restoration of the route as part of the national rail network. Naturally, we would expect them to receive fair compensation if this meant that they would have to relocate.
In 2000, the former train operator Connex opened a new rail bus service connecting Uckfield and Lewes stations, via Ringmer. But although it was specifically designed to connect with train services and rail tickets were accepted, this 'Coach Connex' service was cut in early 2002 for 'lack of patronage'.
This does not mean, however that a restored train service would suffer from a lack of passengers. Past experience of rail closures shows that in general, rail passengers do not regard buses as an acceptable alternative to the train. Unpalatable though bus proponents may find this fact, it has been demonstrated time and again.
Indeed, the extra buses stipulated by the
transport minister as an essential precondition for closure of
the Lewes - Uckfield line in 1969 were soon running empty -- and
quickly disappeared. Yet prior to closure the railway had been
well used; so much so that the crowded trains of the special service
run during its last days were locally called 'sardine specials'.