Public inquiry into Rother Valley Railway plans delayed to next year
Rother Valley Railway (RVR) said the postponement followed a request from the group for a delay to the hearing, to enable additional information about the line’s impact on road traffic to be gathered and assessed.
The public inquiry will now take place in early 2020 rather than June this year.
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Hide AdGardner Crawley, RVR chairman, said: “Although we have managed to satisfy many of the statutory consultees with regards any concerns they may have had about our proposals, Highways England and the Office of Rail and Road have requested additional studies be carried out. These are to better understand what effect a level crossing, which would only operate during off-peak hours, would have on the A21.
“We are happy to carry out these additional studies and look forward to reassuring these consultees that it will be possible to reinstate the full length of the railway between Tenterden and Robertsbridge, with all the benefits that would bring, without any unduly adverse effects.”
Last May, Hastings and Rye MP, Amber Rudd, spoke out against RVR’s plans for a level crossing on the A21. She said there were ‘safer and more effective ways to re-establish a transport link between Robertsbridge and Bodiam which should be explored’.
She wrote to Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling to raise her concerns and opposition regarding building further level crossings on the A21.
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Hide AdIn March 2017, Rother District Council (RDC) granted planning permission for the scheme, subject to the Transport Secretary’s approval.
The railway currently runs from Tenterden to Bodiam, via Northiam.
Visit www.rvr.org.uk for more on the railway.
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