What is the Rother Valley Railway
The Rother Valley Railway is a planned reconstruction of the railway link between Bodiam & Robertsbridge.
History of the Rother Valley Railway
The original railway was opened in 1900 as the Rother Valley Railway later renamed the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR). Designed by the renowned light railway engineer Colonel Stephens, it was a rural line that served agricultural communities and provided passenger and freight services. The line was known for its quaint charm, operating with lightweight rolling stock and winding through the scenic countryside. The railway suffered from declining passenger numbers and freight traffic due to competition from road transport in the mid-20th century. The section between Bodiam and Robertsbridge was closed in 1961, along with other parts of the K&ESR.
What has the Rother Valley Railway achieved?
So since being formed RVR has, secured the funding for the reconnection project, successfully negotiated half of all the land requirements, the Rother District Council Local Plan has safeguarded the route of the railway, planning permission for the reconstructed track and new junction station has been granted, a mile of track west from Bodiam Station up to Junction Road has been rebuilt, Restored or reconstructed 5 bridges, protected the embankment from river flow erosion by piling, re-laid the track between Robertsbridge Junction Station and Northbridge Street, started work on the remodelling of Robertsbridge Junction Station as the western terminus for Kent & East Sussex Railway and connections to the mainline railway network.
What comes next?
What needs to happen now is the construction of the new station at Robertsbridge, known as Robertsbridge Junction Station, this will consist of a station building historically styled with modern facilities, a platform of sufficient length to handle the longest trains from the Tenterden end of the line, carriage shed, locomotive shed, signal box, water tower and water crane.
The railway needs a Transport and Works Act Order for the statutory powers to cross the roads and operate the railway.
The remaining land needs to be purchased. They need to build three modern automated locally monitored level crossings and reinstate the embankment in parts. Lastly, restore or rebuild bridges and re-lay the track.