MPs and councillors visit shows support for heritage railway extension

Last Friday, 15 September, a group of MPs and representatives from Rother District Council visited the Kent and East Sussex Railway to show their support for its much-anticipated extension from Bodiam to Robertsbridge.

The cross-party group of MPs meet regularly at Westminster to improve understanding by Parliamentarians of the value of Britain's unique railway heritage and the best ways in which it can be maintained and enhanced.

The group that visited the railway was led by Lord Faulkner of Worcester who is president of the Heritage Railway Association, and included Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman, Rother District Council Chair Cllr Vikki Cook and Deputy Leader Cllr Susan Prochak.

Representatives from the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust explained to the group about its plans to complete the missing link between the Kent and East Sussex Railway and the national network, which will be achieved by connecting the railway at Bodiam to the mainline at Robertsbridge.

Last May, 11 rail workers took paid leave to help restore Wittersham Road station on the railway.

Cllr Susan Prochak said: “The link between the mainline and the Kent and Sussex Railway will bring a welcome boost to tourism in the district and to training and employment.

“Myself and Cllr Cook were delighted to be able to join the Parliamentary Group on Friday to show Rother District Council's support for the efforts of Rother Valley Railway and the planned extension.”

Lord Faulkner said: “We wanted to visit this popular line to see at first hand the role it plays in supporting tourism, in outreach to the community it serves and its innovative approach to environmental stewardship, as well as its exciting plans for future extensions.

“Heritage railways are important in supporting skills training and employment and support well-being for both volunteers and visitors so it has been good to see this in action on this historic and pioneering light railway.”