Sussex Community Rail Partnership

The Sussex Community Rail Partnership has brought together local authorities, the local Train Operating Company – Southern and numerous other organisations in the area, especially those close to designated lines, to work together with the aim of developing a responsive and good quality rail service.

There are as many as 50 Community Rail Partnerships throughout the country, which have had a beneficial effect on people living and working along the railway line, as well as tourists visiting the area. Community Rail Partnerships share ideas and methods of best practice with each other and are assisted in doing so by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP). ACoRP also has excellent contact with Network Rail and the DFT.

The idea is to make the whole experience of travelling by train a pleasant and enjoyable one, as well as highlighting many leisure activities that can be enjoyed nearby.

The recently formed Sussex Community Rail Partnership has the following specific objectives:

• To develop an efficient rail passenger service, providing train services which meet the communities’ needs.
• To provide integrated connecting services to allow the community to get to and from stations easily, conveniently and inexpensively.
• To increase the use of the line for tourism and leisure related travel.
• To maximise the communities’ use of the rail infrastructure, particularly buildings and land.
• To preserve the potential for future freight use.

At present the Sussex Community Rail Partnership is concentrating it efforts on three lines. The Uckfield and East Grinstead Lines, The Marsh Link Line and the Arun Valley line, although there is a possibility that other lines may be included in the future. Each line has a steering group and Development Officer.

The Uckfield Line runs from Uckfield to London Bridge and the East Grinstead line runs from East Grinstead to London Bridge and London Victoria. For further information please contact :

Sam Bryant
Development Officer
Eridge Station
Groombridge Lane
Eridge
East Sussex
TN3 9LE

Email: samantha.bryant@ruralsussex.org.uk
Tel: 07891 556897

The Marshlink Line is the section of railway between Hastings and Ashford that crosses Walland and Romney Marsh, and passes through the Ancient Town of Rye. For further information please contact

Sam Bryant
Development Officer
Eridge Station
Groombridge Lane
Eridge
East Sussex
TN3 9LE

Email: samantha.bryant@ruralsussex.org.uk
Tel: 07891 556897

The Arun Valley Line travels between the Southdowns and the market towns of Arundel, Pulborough and Billingshurst. For further information please contact

Jake Clausen
Rail Officer
Arun Valley Rail Partnership
Pulborough Station
Pulborough
RH20 1AH.

Email: jakeclausen@cix.co.uk
Tel: 07779 294291
www.arunrail.com

Other contacts:

Rural Transport Partnership
Action in Rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NH

Tel: 01273 405458
Email: janet.whitman@ruralsussex.org.uk
Email: veronika.moore@ruralsussex.org.uk http://www.eastsussexrtp.org.uk/

Train information

http://www.southernrailway.com/

http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or call 08457 48 49 50

http://www.thetrainline.com/