Rother Valley Railway

I know for a fact that the Ostrich public house situated opposite the Rother Valley terminus and Robertsbridge station takings are up at weekends in the summer season from people visiting the railway.

 

DisusedBranch, I have been a member of the active K&ESR for over 25 years. If you would like I could arrange a track walk along part of the line to show you how impressive a wildlife corridor the active railway actually is, Id recommend that we end up on the section of line near to Wittersham Road at dusk where you could experience the pretty impressive Badger earthworks on the edge of the cutting and hopefully experience the deer using the railway line as a safe corridor up and down the Rother Valley.
I can't claim to have much experience of Kidderminster but I can assure you that Tenterden Chamber of Commerce actively plans its Christmas Shopping events outside the K&ESR Santa Special Days because of the boost to trade in the town. I am also fortunate to know the majority of the publicans in the town well enough to know that they along with the restaurants and shops routinely employ extra staff when events such as Thomas, 1940s and Hop Pickers weekend are on at the railway because of the spin off business they will receive. The management of one of the closest public houses assures me that the K&ESR is the most significant external factor to his business. I can't really see why with our policy of active engagement with the community Robertsbridge should be any different.

 

In answer to Disused branches reply, the first paragraph was separate from the railway, i use the A21 quite often, and at certain times of the day it gets very busy,
the question about the wild life was questioning the impact on the various species if the line was rebuilt, and i see Paul has replied, to that question,

 

Good quality heritage railways feed into their communities. Look at the numbers who stream into Bridgnorth for a browse in the shops or a bite to eat, or head out at Bewdley for an ice cream or a walk along the river. One should not underestimate their positive impact on local businesses.

 

There are no cuttings and embankments, it's the Rother levels and most of the land is question runs across fields. The original KESR was very lightly built, and after closure was reabsorbed into the fields on this section. I don't see a wildlife issue here.

 

Please note that I very deliberately said "I can only speak for myself". How can something not be 'true' when I am speaking from the experience of what I have (or have not) done and have stated the 'truth' of that experience? I didn't dream it!

I was an active member of the KESR in the 1970s and 1980s, including being a member of the 'clearance gang', so I am well acquainted with the line. It's nice to hear it expressed lucidly from someone with contemporary experience, however I maintain that 'wildlife' is hugely more than the obvious cute furry things like badgers, deer and bunnies that many people associate with it. And indeed that flora is just as important as fauna.

Now this is certainly not true! There are a number of shallow embankments and cuttings throughout the length of the KESR. Not on the scale of the Settle & Carlisle, of course, but as you traverse the line you will see that the line regularly rises and falls above and below the level of he surrounding land. Or did I imagine all the trouble with the 'wet cutting' on Tenterden Bank (the clue is in the name) and hacking and slashing all those brambles in the shallow cutting up Wittersham Bank and on the various low embankments back in the day?

 

My comment concerns the Udiam - Robertsbridge bypass section.

 

There is significant trade for hotels, B&B, camp sites pubs etc. If self catering the various supermarkets will see a trade

 

When I was last in Kent a few weeks ago I lunched at 'The Halt' pub in Salehurst. Good food and a garden which looks out over the disputed land. But the trains will make a fine sight when passing, and only a short step from Salehurst Halt, assuming it is rebuilt on its old site.

I will certainly be customising it in future when the line re-opens. And a great trip from Tenterden for lunch.

Robin

 

As I said (twice), I can only quote my own experience. There's no need for people to keep on shouting me down. I get it, I get it...!!!

You mean you'll be adding spotlights, go-faster stripes and furry dice? Or is this one of those trendy American-style moments where everything has to be turned into a verb?

(BTW I assume you're the same Robin White I remember from my long ago KESR days?)

 

Surely one Robin White is all that the heritage railway world could stand?

Robin

 

There's also at Salehurst a pretty good farm shop near the pub and the church which I have a mind to use were
the halt accessible again. Driving out to a far end of Sussex from anything like central London is decreasingly any pleasure.
Also, thinking of it, several other things I'd come to. And I have been curious to see Bodiam Castle for well over fifty years
- railway connection please while I can manage the turret stairs.

 

Bodiam Castle is a very good destination, and will no doubt be a very popular designation as hopefully will Tenterden from Robertsbridge, in fact some people think that Robertsbridge to Bodiam will out sell any other destination, As regards Salehurst, i'm not sure if the plan is to re open the halt, as there will be strict limitations placed on the operation but i dare say that local pressure may change that, if the pub and shop can see extra trade on the back of the railway, but there could also be problems from others who may not want olks traipsing round their village as with everything, there will be some who will welcome the extra trade, as well as the " get of my land " types .

 

At Salehurst the halt is effectively strategically situated: handy to the settlement and several footpath routes
come together where they cross the valley at right angles to the railway - especially along the river
past the remains of Robertsbridge Abbey. It would make a good place to start or end a walk.
The pub has not got much parking by it and cars etc. must be prone to over flow on to rather well kept verges.
However, it would be another stop to fit into a time table where connections at Robertsbridge would matter
- Hastings, Tonbridge and London all add up to quite a few people who might change -
the loop before Bodiam by Junction Road must likely be with an eye to helping with this.

 

This is one thing that the railway could work with the locals on, walking guides, local eateries, farm shops etc, working to promote such healthy things as walking, as regards time tables, is there any scope for additional Bodiam Salehurst Robertsbridge DMU shuttles ? should the section become popular .

 

There are a couple of recent updates on the RVR Progress blog. The most recent is regarding application for their TWAO, the second is the Mid July progress report. You can't turn your back on the folks at Robertsbridge for long these days without missing something!

http://rvrailway.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

 

There is a section outside Northiam on which I've seen a hobby criss-crossing the line in front of the DMU, catching the dragonflies which were disturbed by the train. One of my very favourite wildlife sights ever.

 

This part:

"purchase of one of the three sections of land needed to reinstate the line between North Bridge Street and Junction Road. This is the land at the eastern end, between Austen's Bridge and the road (the B2244)"

is particularly good news! Does anyone know if this is one of the two where the owners were particularly disinclined to sell?

Noel

 

most likily it will be the junction road end, i did hear to salehurst, but its not been confirmed ,