Rother Valley Railway

This can't be wholly accurate through; public trains ran over the Bodiam to Junction Road section (which I think includes the section next to the Eastwoods) starting in 2011. (I recall reading, some years ago, a KESR/RVR page which described those specials, but alas I cannot now find it, just the one above which mentions that it was done. It probably disappeared when the Web-site was 'improved'.)

The draft TWAO isn't perfectly clear on that point, either; although it does say: "Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Order) This Order authorises the Company to construct the new railway and maintain the new and existing railways in East Sussex ... from the point at which the existing Kent and East Sussex Railway terminates at Bodiam to a new terminus at Robertsbridge Junction station in Robertsbridge. The Order authorises level crossings across Northbridge Street and the A21 at Robertsbridge, the B2244 at Udiam ... The Order also authorises the acquisition of land and rights in land, and the use of land, for this purpose." which indicates that the main point of the order concerns the construction of the railway, not its operation.

(It also says "Schedule 1 Articles 8 and 9 ..
Part 1 The New Railway .. Railway No. 3 — A railway 3421 metres in length, commencing at a junction with Railway No. 2 on the western side of Northbridge Street and terminating at a junction with Railway No. 1 on the eastern side of the B2244 Road.
Part 2 The Existing Railways .. Railway No.1 — A railway 1165 metres in length, commencing at a junction with Railway No. 3 at its termination and terminating at its junction with the Kent and East Sussex Railway 225 metres west of Bodiam Station.", which is illuminative.)

PS: That last bit makes it plain that the section past the Eastwoods is classed as "existing railway".

Noel

 

As you say I think that these were "specials" - there haven't been any recently. There was also a "gala day" at Robertsbridge a few years back where there was a Terrier and some coaches which ran up and down to North Bridge street. I think this was just after the Bridges were restored. Both of these workings would involve reversing with the engine at the back. So special arrangements may have been in place.

When I did my trackbed walk a few years back - the junction marker between RVR and KESR was pointed out. The trackbed in the objection we are discussing was sold to the RVR - so it's part of Railway Number 1.

Looking at these distances I now realise just how far I walked.

 

Another new document today in the "Documents Submitted during the Inquiry" section of the Inquiry Web-site: a Revised Final version of the "Statement of Common Ground between RVR and Highways England", dated 15 July, 2021. Alas, there are no 'change bars', so it's not obvious what the difference is with the prior version; a quick scan doesn't show anything obvious.

Any new reports from those watching the hearing?

Noel

 

My understanding at the time of running the special services over the Bodiam to Junction Rd section was that each occasion required a separate, temporary operating licence.

This was because the section is outside the area covered by the LRO/ LRTO held by KESR.

 

Ah, thanks for that information.

So that's likely part of why the draft TWAO says "29. — (1) The Company may operate and use the railway and other authorised works as a system, or part of a system, of transport for the carriage of passengers and goods. ... 30. — (1) The Company may— (a) transfer to KESR its right to construct, maintain, use or operate the railway"; the new TWAO will be needed to run regular services West of Bodiam.

Speaking of the draft TWAO; a lot of work has gone into drawing that up that lengthy and detailed draft. I assume that this has been done by the Transport and Works Act Orders Unit of the Department for Transport. I kind of get the feeling that they would not have gone to all that work unless they were basically minded to approve the Order in substantially the form in which it now exists. The Inspector, after hearing from everyone, may make some tweaks to it; but with the ORR, EA, HE, most local government bodies, etc all on board, I suspect that the Order very likely will be approved in substantially the form in which it now exists.

Noel

 

The DfT TWA unit has to remain impartial since the TWA decision, including consideration of objections, is a quasi-judicial process. The draft TWA Order therefore has to be prepared by the applicant.

Throughout the TWA process RVR have been represented by a firm of Parliamentary Agents - these are specialist lawyers with expertise in drafting Orders and other Statutory Instruments of this kind and negotiating their passage through the DfT/Inquiry/SoS process. They would also be involved in negotiating the proposed draft Order amendments now arising from the agreements with the EA and (if confirmed) HE.

 

Ah, thanks for enlightening me. I was confused by the terminal footer ("Natasha Kopala; Head of the Transport and Works Act Orders Unit; Department for Transport") which makes it sound like the TWAOU created the draft. It's quite mind-boggling (depressing?) how much stuff is being out-sourced these days - including government! (I noted that the inquiry itself had been out-sourced to Gateley Hamer!)

Noel

 

- Parliamentary Agents date from the 1830s/40s after government clerks were banned from drafting Private Bills, for railway companies and others, due to the conflict of interest.

 

When does the enquiry finish, and so far, going on the objections, if agreement can be made over the A21 level crossing, I would say that is the biggest hurdle, as from what I can see, the majority of the objections are about the A21, and less so about the loss of land to the two lad owners,

 

The Inquiry is scheduled to run until 6th August - five weeks in total, although it only meets 4 days a week. This week the Inquiry is hearing from individuals - supporters to start with. There are a couple of days next week which takes place at the Woodland Enterprise Centre to allow for appearances from individuals who are having trouble with the technology of a virtual hearing - these are mainly objectors.
As you say the majority of the objections are about the level crossing on the A21. One of the reasons for this is that the website set up by the landowners encouraged objections on matters other than the Compulsory Purchase.

 

Yes, but if HE is OK with it, I suspect that individual objectors on that point won't get much traction with it.

The sheer number of individual objectors might have an impact (whatever their issue); but if local elected officials don't agree with them, I think one could reasonably claim that this means that there is not general objection, as presumably elected officials wouldn't want to upset too many voters.

Noel

 

The crossings at Northiam and Bodiam are also on busy roads though not A roads. We lived in Andrews Close, on the Salehurst side of Robertsbidge for 10 years and the A21 is a very busy road day and night. The only redeeming feature here is that traffic speeds are low due to the roundabout and ped crossing. If I still lived there I would welcome the crossing as another way to reduce traffic speeds and road noise

 

Point of order - I'm sure I remember my drives down to Rye over the crossing at Northiam being on an A road, and Google agrees with me that it was on the A28. On the other hand, I'd completely agree that the A28 was not a trunk road.

 

Having operated the level crossings at both Rolvenden and Northiam, I can confirm that there are times when the A28 feels like the M1!

 

...and there have been plenty of collisions with the gates. I rather recall an ambulance smashing into the gates at Rolvenden late at night.

 

Thats very unfortunate. What on earth were they closed for, late at night? Had somebody been out tampering?

 

The Wealden Pullman late on a Saturday evening.

 

A mildly interesting new document today in the "Documents Submitted during the Inquiry" section of the Inquiry Web-site: a "Statement in Support of the Order from the Heritage Railway Association", which has appendices listing the heritage railways with main line connections (existing and planned).

Noel

 

Thank you for posting that link Noel - it is a very good summary of the benefits of Heritage railways generally.