A number of constituents have written to me regarding the Rother Valley Railway.  

The Rother Valley Railway proposes to link up with the Kent and East Sussex Railway (KESR) to create an extended heritage railway line between the mainline station at Robertsbridge all the way to Tenterden.  In order to achieve this the Rother Valley Railway has recently applied for a Transport & Works Act Order (TWAO)

I have visited the Rother Valley Railway team for updates on the progress of this project on at least three occasions since I was elected to Parliament to find out more about the benefits and implications for the local area.  I have also spoken to parish representatives, local residents and landowners to understand their views.

I believe that this project has the potential to bring increased tourism to the constituency, boost the revenues of the few local shops and services as well as open up new employment opportunities for Robertsbridge village and the surrounding area. It also means that visitors from London can join the heritage railway at Robertsbridge stopping off at villages all the way to Tenterden without having to come by car.  This has certainly been the case for the Bluebell Railway in West Sussex which now directly links to the mainline railway station at East Grinstead.

However, I do appreciate that this project also brings some valid concerns for local residents about increased flood risks in Robertsbridge, the impact of a new level crossing on the A21 and parking issues for the village.  As a result of hearing these concerns, I have been in direct and regular contact with Highways England, the Environment Agency, the RVR project organisers and Rother District Council to seek assurances that all these risks have been fully considered and can be mitigated.

With regards to the A21, I am satisfied that, following a technical report commissioned by RVR following consultation with East Sussex County Council, their contractors, Mott Macdonald, concluded that the impact of a level crossing on the A21 at Robertsbridge for the RVR would be minimal. When Rother District Council approved the planning application for the RVR they also put in place conditions regarding the A21 which included no trains to run at peak times between 7am to 9am and 5pm and 7pm Monday to Friday including bank holidays. The maximum amount of services crossing the A21 would be around 10 per day between April and October.

I am also aware that in order to complete this railway line, two local landowners need to reach agreement with RVR about the purchase of their land.  I understand that at this stage agreement is unlikely to be reached. I would very much like to see positive negotiations on this continue with the landowners as the proposition of a compulsory purchase order is unpalatable for many including the parish council and local residents.  I have offered to help both parties ensure that their cases are fully represented and I have already stated will not be taking sides on this issue.

The Department for Transport is the determining authority for this application which will be decided on technical and economic benefits.

Residents who wish to support or object to the application for the TWAO should write to:

Secretary of State for Transport

c/o Transport and Works Act Orders Unit

General Counsel’s Office

Department for Transport

Zone 1/18

Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

Email: [email protected]