Lewes to Uckfield route...

[katraina_455]

Hi all! I'm based in Lewes and have been keeping my eyes and ears out about news regarding the Lewes to Uckfield line that may or may not ever reopen. I've seen a something on here recently about Network Rail protecting potential ground for the line but it did get me thinking, where would the line actually go?

What confuses me about it, is that if I'm not mistaken, the old railway viaduct, through the town and across the Ouse from the station was demolished almost entirely by 1981 to make way for the Phoenix Causeway bridge, so my question is how would they overcome that? I speak as someone absolutely hopeful that it does reopen of course, but would it now take a longer round route, like potentially follow track already laid out of the station and then cut around or..? I am genuinely curious.

If it were to follow the original route, at least after leaving Lewes (provided they're not going to demolish Phoenix Causeway bridge haha), do you think maybe there would be investment into electrifying the line at all? If the plan is to use the original double platform at Lewes, I can only assume that would mean the line remains a single track going into Uckfield, but would it be a case of remaining an entirely unelectrified connection between Lewes and London Bridge?

One more thought I have surrounding the reopening of the Lewes to Uckfield line is the service frequency. Right now, If my memory serves me correctly, only one unit serves the Oxted line, 171810, and I suppose if there were to be a line extension, the service may be increased to 2tph at least?

Sorry if all of this seems a little sporadic and rambly, I'm new to this forum and new to this format entirely, I just wanted to see what people's thoughts were surrounding the line and where and what it might be if and when it does reopen! Thank you for reading my little ramble!

 

[bramling]

Hi all! I'm based in Lewes and have been keeping my eyes and ears out about news regarding the Lewes to Uckfield line that may or may not ever reopen. I've seen a something on here recently about Network Rail protecting potential ground for the line but it did get me thinking, where would the line actually go?

What confuses me about it, is that if I'm not mistaken, the old railway viaduct, through the town and across the Ouse from the station was demolished almost entirely by 1981 to make way for the Phoenix Causeway bridge, so my question is how would they overcome that? I speak as someone absolutely hopeful that it does reopen of course, but would it now take a longer round route, like potentially follow track already laid out of the station and then cut around or..? I am genuinely curious.

If it were to follow the original route, at least after leaving Lewes (provided they're not going to demolish Phoenix Causeway bridge haha), do you think maybe there would be investment into electrifying the line at all? If the plan is to use the original double platform at Lewes, I can only assume that would mean the line remains a single track going into Uckfield, but would it be a case of remaining an entirely unelectrified connection between Lewes and London Bridge?

One more thought I have surrounding the reopening of the Lewes to Uckfield line is the service frequency. Right now, If my memory serves me correctly, only one unit serves the Oxted line, 171810, and I suppose if there were to be a line extension, the service may be increased to 2tph at least?

Sorry if all of this seems a little sporadic and rambly, I'm new to this forum and new to this format entirely, I just wanted to see what people's thoughts were surrounding the line and where and what it might be if and when it does reopen! Thank you for reading my little ramble!

The very original route from Lewes to Uckfield diverged from a junction near Hamsey. This was replaced by the town centre alignment, leaving the original section (which became known as the “Hamsey Loop”) as one of Britain’s very early line closures.

Most if not all re-opening proposals use the original route, however this introduces a problem for Brighton-Uckfield journeys.

The more rural parts of Sussex are something of a mess as far as rail provision is concerned. Places like Hailsham and Heathfield could certainly justify a station if the through routes had remained open, and there’s a lack of provision for SW-NE journeys through the area bordered by Brighton/Lewes and Tunbridge Wells. But unfortunately things are where they are.

 

[steamybrian]

I agree with bramling. The route through the town centre, closed in 1969, has been lost to shops and housing development.
The route between Uckfield and Lewes is protected from development using the route of the former Hamsey Loop which closed in the 1860s.
The present single line track layout permits only two trains per hour each way so to increase the frequency of the train service would require reinstating sections of double track. When the line closed in 1969 there was a basic hourly service with extras in the morning and evening peak hours.