Two important steps have been taken as part of the Kent & East Sussex Railways ‘Ready for Robertsbridge’ plans.

The former wrought iron lattice Victorian footbridge at Tovil station near Maidstone, which was gifted to the railway following its decommissioning by Network Rail, has been in store awaiting future use. Thanks to large donations from The Railway Heritage Trust, The Rochester Bridge Trust, other organisations, and a private donor, the funding target has been reached to fully restore the footbridge.

The footbridge is presently being worked on off-site and requires cleaning, specialist repair to some of the wrought iron lattice work, new decking and steps. New foundations will need to be laid for the bridge to be installed at Northam.

The station at Northiam is expected to become a major changing point between trains when the Kent and East Sussex Railway reaches Robertsbridge, as it will be in the centre of the line. The footbridge will not only be a key asset for passengers and staff linking the two platforms, but it will also preserve a piece of Kentish railway heritage.

The sighting of the footbridge at Northiam is still undecided at the time of writing, though its final position on the platforms will depend on infrastructure planning. This includes the possible installation of a water crane and rearrangement of the signals. Two possible sites for the bridge include in the middle of the platforms, or near the level crossing at the eastern end of the station.

The other major step in the KESR ‘Ready for Robertsbridge’ plans is the recent purchase of two water osmosis plants. At present, the railway has one plant at Rolvenden; the installation of additional RO plants at Tenterten and Northiam will further help in protecting the boilers of steam locomotives from impurities in the water.

“We are enormously grateful to both the Railway Heritage Trust and the Rochester Bridge Trust for their confidence in this project, and to the supporters whose donations have helped bring us to this point.

“The Tovil Footbridge is an important example of historic railway engineering which deserves to be preserved and appreciated by future generations. Thanks to this funding package, we can now look forward to returning the bridge to railway use in a setting where it will serve both a practical purpose and become a notable feature of Northiam Station.

“The project represents a significant collaboration between the heritage railway, charitable trusts and private supporters, ensuring that a historic structure rescued from the national network will once again serve railway passengers for decades to come.”

“Ready access to treated water will be essential to running steam services on the extended line. Having these RO units strategically located at both Tenterden and Northiam will ensure that engines need only to get treated water from Rolvenden at the start of the service day.”

K&ESR Chairman Derrick Bilsby