Kent & East Sussex Railway

Thank you

 

I can confirm that today, at least, is the two Austerities and Hastings.

 

Excellent news! I shall pop over tomorrow for a jolly

 

I turned up today and was looking forward to it. Unfortunately the car park at Tenterden was full with not much possibility of a space so I turned around. I was glad I hadn't booked an advance ticket.
For future reference does the K&ESR have other car parks?

 

When the Tenterden railway car park is full there is a council car park at Bridewell lane which is the other side of the a28 high street from the railway. It's rarely full unless there is an event in the town. It's about 600 yards away and £6 for over 4 hours.
Northiam and Wittersham Rd also have car parking. Rolvenden station has some lay by parking on the a28 which is unrestricted. The railway wasn't allowed parking at Bodiam as one of the conditions for reopening. If you are a National Trust member you can park at the castle which is about 800 yards away. Robertsbridge Junction (2028) will have the mainline station parking which is rarely busy.

 

Sadly, our car parking at Tenterden was more limited than usual, as the upper grass area was being used for exhibitors. As Paul says, there is the council car park in Tenterden, or our own one at Northiam.

 

According to Bing Maps the Bridwell Lane car park is 0.4 miles and will take 7mins. As I'm 82 I imagine it will take longer and it will consume a lot of my jealously guarded stamina.
I really can't say I'm impressed

 

0.4 miles is 704 yards, it's a long car park so rather depends where your measuring it. Do you expect unlimited on site parking at the busiest non Christmas event of the year?

 

I’m not sure what you expect the railway to do?
Buy up lots of expensive land to use as overflow car parks, just in case an 82 year old turns up and demands to park close to the station???
Please add a reality check to your list of jobs for today.

In all seriousness, what is your suggested solution?

 

I have no suggested solution for the K&ESR what it does is its business not mine.
For me, I do have solutions. It was a 186 mile round trip to Tenterden taking more then 7 hours. The solution, don't do that again. I have visited the SVR, ESR, WSR, Bluebell, MHR and the MSLR this year without encountering these difficulties so perhaps it's best to stick with what I know.
I wish the K&ESR the best for it's future.

 

David, the best answer in that situation would be to park at Northiam. It is possibly the most underused car park in preservation! Choose from the 99% of the car park that is usually free, right next to the platform!

 

Maybe when you are an 82 year old not so mobile a person you will think differently, I thought we were supposed to be tolerant to others these days.

Sent from my SM-A556B using Tapatalk

 

I would have thought if you have not

I would have thought if you have not been somewhere before then a look at Google Maps on Street view (or as we call it nosy nobby) to see what is near each station. I understand your mobility issue this 74 year old grumpy git now has the same where slopes are involved. If what you see on the map does not look good then check with the railway beforehand. Not all Heritage Lines have their own parking.
For anyone associated with the KESR I noticed Wittersham Road is marked as permanently closed on Google Maps.

 

It’s not about being tolerant, David is complaining about the railway not having convenient parking for him, but doesn’t have any suggestions of a solution- that’s not fair on the kesr.

I’m sure a phone call before travelling would have given some guidance on the best places to park.

 

Before venturing off my known patch I always consult my trusty Parkopedia app.
It shows all public car parks (and even some private drives you can use), and the charges for whatever time duration you chose.
Being Sunday evening the prices shown are atypical……

 

Blue badge parking is available

 

Yes indeed. But it is perhaps the impression that the original poster gives of expecting the railway to provide a solution to a problem that they might not even have been contacted about that might diminish the tolerance otherwise afforded.

 

From the K&ESR website About the K&ESR - Kent & East Sussex Railway
By Car – Tenterden is about 12 miles southwest of Ashford on the A28. The K&ESR Car Park is just over the level crossing at Tenterden Town station. Find Tenterden Town Station using Google maps
Kent & East Sussex Railway - (Tenterden Town, Station) - Google Maps
This isn't the first time I have visited the K&ESR and I'm well aware of the extensive car park at Tenterden. It seems the railway was using a significant amount of car park for 1940s related displays.
I was by no means the only potential customer caught in this situation. I was third in the queue and the jam extended a fair way behind me along Station Road towards the A28. I should imagine that the railways neighbours will take a view about their access being blocked

 

@David Mylchreest For future reference the same web page also says By Car - Northiam village is about 12 miles north of Hastings. The station is adjacent to the A28, one mile north of the village centre, and has a free car park and small Tea Room. Find Northiam Station using Google maps

Northiam station's about 15 minutes drive from Tenterden Town.
I hope you found somewhere else to visit that day, railway related or not.

 

Not every old person with mobility issues (or like me just walking up a slope, let alone a hill) is eligible for a Blue badge.