Rother Valley Railway

Yes well said the hand of friendship needs to be welcoming, I am sure you have contacts that can help make this work for everyone.

Now that you have had a spam can up the line, I wonder if there is any appetite with in the K&ESR family to do your own replica rebuilds of say an Ilfracombe good as an example?

Good luck with what the future holds

 

Appetite, maybe, but we couldn't afford the bill. For now, we'll stick to making sure that the basic things work.

 

But, in what colour?

 

I agree on the need for a conciliatory approach. But I take double comfort from the CPO powers. Firstly, their purpose is to prevent the equally unpleasant spectre of a blocking strip of land preventing others from enjoying the use of their land, and to do so in a controlled way.

Second, the existence of the CPO will focus minds on hard choices. It gives the RVR a hard backstop, which will support negotiations around what is possible, rather than what the landowners would ideally like.

 

I think that would be lovely.
Mind you, I've always felt that the Norwegian resembled them, and while a majority voted for the name it now carries, I would have suggested 'ROTHER'. Maybe for a gala once?

 

Just to be clear - as far as names go, you’d rather “Rother”?

Tom

 

'Djknow, JUNO would suit as well.

 

Reading bits of the inquiry report I'm reminded of the evidence of Mr. Lewis, one of the K&ESR's neighbouring farmers who gave evidence in favour of the RVR scheme - pointing out that the severance of his land by the existing railway and the need to use a number of accommodation crossings was a relatively minor inconvenience compared to the many other challenges of farming. Referring to one of the objectors' farms there's this little gem of a quote "Finally, he has not the slightest doubt that if the railway were to be reconstructed, Parsonage Farm would continue to thrive handsomely, and make its owners even more wealthy than he presumes they are today."

 

I missed that first time around - what a corker!

 

I seem to recall when reading some of the objections, remarks made back in the '70s when the West Somerset Railway folk were trying to reopen the line. One was along the lines that there'd be all sorts of folk hanging out of the windows etc of the trains wearing "funny hats" waving banners.........

 

It's quite telling, that in most cases farmers don't seem to have problems with steam railways being close neibours, as generally they are good neibours, where as things like urbanisation, tend to leave problems and anti social behaviour in its wake, I'm sure that for most problems the Hoads might fear, there will be a workable solution found, the Ainsties, i'm not sure , are they a farming family, or only interested in land values for development, their wanting to develop another farm for housing, does raise questions, about their long term plans, and of course, there is the daughter, who seems to be a bit of an eco warrior, nothing wrong with that of course, and i'm sure that in time her concerns will be shown to have been mis placed as wildlife tends to thrive along the green corridors that railway lines provide, as much of the time, nothing is happening, punctuated by short periods of activity, in the shape of a passing train, i have always marvelled at how wild life adapts to changing habitat, seeing deer walk out of the morning mist , when going L/E to Alton, and disappear just as quickly back into the woods .

 

The green corridors - whether along railways or roads - aren't always as wildlife-friendly as you think. Huge quantities of aggregate, metal or other non-natural substances form a natural barrier, not perhaps for deer, but for other indigenous vegetation and smaller animals further down the food chain which can't easily adapt.

So there concerns are hardly misplaced.

 

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Congratulations all, fantastic news, I’m sure it will all look good in the end, having visited the area before on my motorcycle and stopped at various points to take in the uniqueness of this line and landscape, bodiam castle, the orchards, the gorgeous streams and hedges, the pillboxes sites along the line. Having stood at junction road at the gate at the end of the line taking it all in I must say the extension to junction road was one of the most harmonious and ‘natural’ railway scenes I’ve yet seen from a extending heritage railway, the single track, the use of wood stock fencing, the planting schemes, the hedges either side of the line all contribute to enhance the beauty and make the railway blend in and not look so ‘industrial’. Continue greening, enhancing and making the new track look like it’s already been there 100 years will make this extension a success, and temper people’s fears.There was also a hint of melancholy to it all, the juxtaposition of the end of line at junction road, with the road and wild trackbed beyond, is truly a lovely scene, how well manicured it is has probably contributed to how much I liked it as usually heritage trackbed ends in overgrowth, linear scrapyards and weeds. At least they do round my way. I throughly recommend people visit junction road before the march of progress beyond starts. I’m one of those ‘dreamer’ casual enthusiasts that im sure some must dislike, the ‘thrill of the chase’ and the feeling of challenge and ‘what’s next’ you get from the hope and ability to extend a railway is a real motivational factor for people like me and it’s a big part of what I like about heritage railways in this country. It’ll be sad in a way once the works been done, a good sad, if you know what I mean, then it’s down to the boring but necessary work of keeping a railway running, and getting the punters through the door. I’m reminded of the band of brothers tv series “what will become of us, when there are no more wars to fight?”,
Finally I am in total agreement with other posters who suggest now is the time for kindness to the objectors, particularly the salehurst halt pub, I think a sort of measured free advertising for the pub is in order, it should be gently recommended in any updated future rvr “what’s to see on the line” literature it’s a lovely little spot which increasingly few pubs are like these days with a real local feel and love that comes through, though as I say ‘gently’ as it’s one of those places you want to tell people about but jealously protect for fear it be ruined. Permit me my ramblings, I know I sound mad sometimes.

 

Thank you, FoM, for that very thoughtful piece.
I live quite close to the RVR/ KESR, and it certainly is the most sylvan and beautiful setting, that quiet single line threading its way along the flood plains of the Rother.
I think you've voiced what probably sits unconsciously at the back of many enthusiasts minds- "the thrill of the chase, and what's next?" and that sense of elation and slight deflation when the goal is realised.
But there will always be "wars" to be fought. There's one in North Devon which will be there for the next generation to ultimately close out.
Right now, it certainly puts me in mind of the North African campaign!

 

Interesting. and of course the land bought from British Railways by the grandfather has not really been touched except for clearance in a couple of places for access to the field to the south of the railway - the claim is that it is a 'wildlife haven'. Evidentally the grandmother said she would sell if the Hoads did. Sadly she has died as has one of her daughters. I dread to think how much the legal bill shared between them and the Hoads was. It will certainly be more than they will receive in payment for the land. In theory now that the TWAO has been made RVR can fence off the land and start work - initially on the environmental stuff. It would seem that the decision was made raight at the end of April but was issued on Tuesday so no doubt the RVR and the landowners were made aware prior to the release date. So no doubt talks are now taking place.

There are a lot of comments on the Robertsbridge social media page - mainly negative from the 'usual suspects' - but they had their chance to present their case at the Public Inquiry - an opportunity which most of them took. I am afraid they will just have to live with it.

 

I believe that the majority of their regular customers are the opponents of the line so it is little wonder that they had to come out against the extension. Lets hope the rail halt is re-instated since I suspect many passengers may stop off there to visit. It is a pub which I may dare to re-visit now that the matter of the TWAO is resolved.

 

Rather surprisingly not. Gardner Crawley on ITV Meridian stated that an e-mail arrived on the same day as the TWAO announcement and it was a bolt out of the blue. So no prewarning but it was a pleasant surprise.


With regard to Robertsbridge Social Media, it reads like a hard core of locals ripping each other to shreds. That will do nothing for local social cohesion.

 

Oh, I wouldn't be THAT optimistic just yet. You have to remember the depth of feeling of those that have lost. I am honestly not sure that meaningful discussions will ever happen. I suspect that the CP powers will be required in at least one case.

 

Having lived on the edge of Robertsbridge for 10 years I can tell you that there was (is) a very strong town ‘mafia’ plus the Bonfire Boyes who help to make the place almost feudal. We were never really accepted despite using local traders and being involved with local politics and things like the cub packs. It was like a breath of fresh air to move to Locks Heath in Hants where society is open and friendly.