Polegate: Rail link to Eridge via Cuckoo Trail proposal

That is the belief of environmentalist Steve Woods who believes excessive road building like the Polegate bypass is a scarring the countryside.

At a Polegate Town Council meeting, Mr Woods urged councillors to back his proposal, which could take five years to get off the ground.

He said: The Weald is under pressure from increase housing and road use, the alternative to which is to build more environmentally and financially costly roads.

I strongly believe we should reuse old railways on their old brownfield routes in an appropriate gauge provided they serve a community and environmental purpose.

Mayor Cllr Ivy Scarborough said: This would be a very innovative idea if it went through. The council would support any alternative form of transport which reduced the use of cars.

Mr Woods believes more than 250 commuters, schoolchildren and residents could benefit from the idea.

The 15 inch gauge trains would take about 80 minutes to travel the 20 mile stretch, which would terminate on a main line to London.

A series of stations would be planned en-route, providing an essential service to Low Weald commuters.

The width of the Cuckoo Trail would allow trains to run alongside the existing pathway for pedestrians and cyclists, believes Mr Woods.

Eco-friendly locomotives would be used, and bridges and tunnels would by-pass housing and roads along the route.

Four-fifths of the existing Cuckoo Trail is owned by Wealden District Council, between Polegate and Heathfield.

Engineer Graham Kean said: We would be interested to see the proposal but could not make further comments until that time.

The remaining stretch of the trail is in private ownership, giving rise to potential problems in the future.

Cllr Scarborough added: If this scheme becomes an alternative to the car and allows people to move through the district easier, it can only be a benefit.

Published: 21.6.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd