Operator South Central is planning to introduce Turbostar diesel trains on the existing line.

But for under £30million – the costs of restoring the seven-mile missing link – the Turbostars could run through to the Sussex coast at Eastbourne and Newhaven, relieving overcrowding on the London-Brighton line through Haywards Heath.

The Wealden Line Campaign is now urging local councils and MPs to face up to a future without electric trains but to consider expanding the network.

We challenge anyone to find a greener major transport project in the south of England, said the campaign.

It is also calling for the £15million reopening of Eridge-Tunbridge Wells.

It is high time the Government’s complacency towards this major transport project for the South was seriously challenged in the House of Commons, says the campaign’s newsletter.

The campaign is angry that while rail electrifications is being shelved, the Government is trying to resurrect the A27 south coast super-highway which would be highly damaging to the South Downs and would generate more road traffic conditions all over the South.

The campaign points out the hypocrisy of the Government’s position.

If a road gets too busy, the Government builds another one with public money. If a railway gets too busy, they put up the fares.

The SRA is also being accused of delay and treachery.

Members of the campaign who have tried to raise the issue with the SRA, say the SRA’s replies have been long in coming and fail to answer the points raised.

30 November 2002. Saturday. Annual meeting of the Wealden Line Campaign.
1415. Luxford Day Centre, Luxford Field, Uckfield.
Guest speaker: Wealden MP Charles Hendry.
More info: http://home.clara.net/wealdenline