Don't abandon line

Brian Hart, a director of the Wealden Line Campaign, said it mustn't be forgotten like Brighton's West Pier.

And he feels that action should be taken promptly to open the line, which has been shut for over 30 years.

Following the collapse of part of the pier last month, Mr Hart warned the line's supporters about the dangers of 'West Pier Syndrome'.

He said: 'Recent events in Brighton provide a timely reminder that endless discussion of a project can never be a substitute for action.'

Mr Hart feels that reopening the line will help decrease growing road congestion in the area.

He said: 'This route was well used over 30 years ago, when towns like Uckfield, Crowborough and Lewes were far smaller.

'Even without more houses being crammed into the South East there is now a critical need for a real alternative to more and more cars.'

The SRA have claimed it will cost 154 million to reopen the Lewes-Uckfield line, but supporters of the track say this is a vast over-estimation.

Wendy Toms, the chairperson of the rail passengers committee for southern England, says the line could be reopened at a fifth of that estimate.

Mr Hart said: 'We know that funds are limited but we also know that we have an excellent case for rail investment.'