Editorial

I don’t remember an issue of Phoenix with quite as much good news as this one! Don’t miss the Trust Chairman’s report, especially, and the feature on Junction Road.

As the Trust Chairman indicated to the Heritage Railway magazine recently, the RVR is approaching the authorities over our need to cross the three roads that lie between Bodiam and Robertsbridge stations.


As it happens, a major national review of the laws and rules concerning level crossings has been going on for a while now, and we do not yet know how the eventual outcome of this review might affect us. Nowadays, the authorities regard level crossings with some caution. Taking Junction Road as an example, clearly traffic is now much heavier and faster than when the crossing was closed in the 1960s. But a level crossing could help make this road safer when you think about it, curbing excessive speeds by acting as a spot of traffic calming. For the moment we must leave the experts to pursue their dialogue, and watch how this crucial aspect of the line’s restoration develops.

One thing seems clear though – there is a renewed momentum in our Railway project. The breakthrough in getting track right up to Junction Road, and the financial, practical and moral support for that latest extension, heralds a real push to link up the two stretches of Colonel Stephens’ favourite railway.

Back at Robertsbridge, we really need more volunteers, particularly on vehicle restoration and in the shop. We get around 12 regulars, and a further half dozen or so that come occasionally, but one cannot have enough. We have advertised on the national website dedicated to volunteering opportunities (www.Do-it.org) and the Hastings Voluntary Action site, and with Rother Valley Voluntary action. We’re pursuing various other possible channels. Let us know if you have any ideas, naturally! Or maybe you used to turn up then lost heart: just tell us why!

Finally, I’m continuing my campaign to persuade more of you to contribute to the Phoenix. The next deadline (winter edition) is 1 December, so start writing now. Get in touch if you want to sound me out on something you have in mind. Feedback on the magazine itself is also welcome.

Steve Griffiths (editor)
griffithss@rvr.org.uk