Rother Valley Railway

I've just got back from holiday in mainland Europe, and I can certainly see why some places are getting fed up of certain types of tourists - we were staying in a fairly residential area, and twice got woken up at 3am by drunken yobs getting back from the clubs - in both cases they were loud enough for us to tell that they were speaking English. I'd hate to think what it must be like for the locals who live there year-round.

 

Critism of the work done by RVR by Junction Road continues on Social Media.
I visited the area this morning and can report that RVR have posted a notice [dated May 2019] stating that they have started work on this Section of the railway. It also states that the clearance of the trackbed is taking place under the terms of a Natural England Licence and that compensation planting will be carried out in the Autumn.

 

Interesting update (with many pictures) on clearances and preparation for track-laying on the first part of western extension : https://rvrailway.blogspot.com/2019...ad1hbTP5QD0r6JOVsEg9dXtbhA9B68ZFgCW46XlhxnXkE

Can anyone say if the RVR is permitted to re-instate the level crossing here before the main public inquiry showdown happens next year?

 

Thanks Alastair - I dare say there will be comments on Social Media in due course.
With regard to the level crossing - some one has asked this question on the blog - the response was "All in hand. Updates coming along". Exciting times!

 

They would not be permitted to work on any highway without permission of the highway authority which is unlikely until the design of the level crossing is agreed, which might not be until after the inquiry. Even if the design was agreed the railway could not operate the crossing without the TWA also agreed and the Order made.

 

Junction Road is the responsibility of East Sussex County Council who may have different criteria than Highways England. My understanding was that this crossing would be monitored from Robertsbridge along with the A21 and North Bridge Street - so it is likely that there will be interim arrangements. Not sure whether the TWAO is required before this phase of construction. No doubt someone will enlighten us.

 

ESCC are the highway authority for Junction Rd & Northbridge St.
Highways England are the highway authority for the A21.
In all 3 cases the TWAO is required before a level crossing can be operated, and highway licences required (relatively simple once the TWAO is obtained) to carry out works.

 

Will the Junction Rd- Austins Bridge section need a separate TWAO ? just for this section , As its already passed into the ownership of the RVR, I would assume it will not be part of the public enquiry ?

 

The public enquiry is not about ownership. It is about permission to operate the railway from the end of the KESR's Light Railway to the station at Robertsbridge. Ownership only come into the enquiry as necessary for compulsory purchase powers.

As I understand it the RVR's demonstration train service at Robertsbridge operated under a special licence, a TWAO was not required as it crossed no public roads as well as being wholly on their own land.

The fact that RVR now owns a further short stretch of former trackbed does mean that the question of Compulsory Purchase does not apply to that stretch.

 

It won’t need a separate TWAO. The single TWAO application is for the whole of the railway between Bodiam and Robertsbridge. This includes the bits already owned and/or built since a TWA Order creates powers to operate the railway as well as powers of compulsory purchase; and powers to build and operate level crossings over highways. Any of these things may be considered at the inquiry.

 

Interesting update on trackbed works with many images : https://rvrailway.blogspot.com/2019...9S65OVRKXtdGFNPtQ5VfkTxml8FSOIQDfC9gcs_TwxI_M

I presume the Junction Road level crossing cannot be reinstated until the forthcoming Public Inquiry is finally held and a decision reached?

 

Good to see progress being made and reported. It states that a further update will be made shortly. The report also states that there are still environmental constraints at the western end.

 

That’s right. Unlike private land a highway (or the right to build a crossing over it) cannot be bought or sold - it requires the legal process.

 

How is the level crossing likily to be installed ? will it be pre cast assembled sections dropped into a trench dug into the road, and overnight road closures , or a short term re routing of the road, single track, round the work area with control lights and the work is done whilst the road remains open and once done, and the crossing done, can resume its original route ?

 

I wonder whether the same method will be used as at the Rolvenden crossing on the KESR back in 2017. This used the Edilon Sedra system. There is an article in rail engineer about this - link below
https://www.railengineer.co.uk/2017/06/07/revolutionary-level-crossing-on-kent-heritage-railway/

 

Yeh one of them!

 

Further update:
http://rvrailway.blogspot.com/
Showing preparation for the reinstatement of Junction Road siding, which will IIRC, become a passing loop, which raises the question how will this be controlled, given its remote location? Will it be from the crossing cabin at Robertsbridge, via a pair of colour light signals? Power operated points?
Anyone have any info on this?

 

Will it be in use all the time though? Northiam makes most sence as the crossing place on normal timetables, but clearly there will have to be colour lights to protect the crossing so most likily it will have a frame that is switched in when needed, and a flagman who will operate it unless its operated from the train staff , and train crew operate the points .

 

The signalling would, I surmise, be there to protect single line working rather than the road Crossing itself. But I think for a moment- Northiam is roughly the halfway point on the route between Tenterden and Robertsbridge, therefore Junction Road would be the only passing place west of Northiam. So any service requiring more than a two train operation would by necessity, need to use the Junction Road loop.

 

If memory serves correctly, the intention is to have a Signal box there. Presently, the token section would be Northiam - Robertsbridge, which would be too long. I suspect we may be in a "Damens Loop" situation here.