UCKFIELDVOICE the MARCH 2018 EDITION 183

THE voice

RAILWAY SERVICES FOR UCKFIELD

The rail service from Uckfield to Lewes was originally withdrawn in 1969. How do you feel about reinstating this service?

By Cllr. Ian Smith Uckfield Town Council has supported Wealden District Council’s decision to protect the track bed of this former railway route from development. This has firmly kept open the option to reinstate the rail link. Protecting the current service service. The ever-increasing surrounding area. The council The current Uckfield to population has led to a large has embraced the proposal for London service also has, in growth in passenger numbers the Wealden Line Campaign’s the past, been under severe and this will increase as Brighton Main Line 2 (BML2) threat of closure due to the Uckfield expands. The pressure and will continue to push for continued use of an outdated to take a more radical approach a vibrant rail network to bring infrastructure and rolling stock. to the line’s future has become great economic benefits to Uckfield Town Council has impossible to resist. our area and better travel played its part in protecting arrangements for current and the existing rail service and in Improvements for the future future users. seeking improvements. The The line, as it stands, needs to Council helped to establish, be run with electric traction and For more information visit and participates in, the the single line sections returned http://www.wealdenline.org.uk/ Uckfield Railway Line Parishes to double track to improve the Committee which comprises timetable performance. representatives from councils along the route. Reinstatement of the route WHAT’S INSIDE into Lewes, along with a direct A modern fleet of diesel rolling connection into Brighton, will • Date for the Town Meeting stock was introduced, giving a bring great benefits to the • Travel update - Route 262 faster and more comfortable residents of Uckfield and the • Last month in your council • Upcoming meetings 37 UCKFIELDVOICE

voice TRY SOMEWHERE NEW ON ROUTE 262 the If you want to check out the tourist hot spots on Ashdown Forest then the 262 WEALDLINK bus can take you there. The service runs every two hours on Saturdays starting at 9.00am from Forest Row travelling through the villages to Heathfield. NEW FROM APRIL: THE DELIGHTS OF ASHDOWN FOREST From April the route will change to start from Hartfield at 9:15am and then travel across the scenic Ashdown Forest to Nutley, Maresfield, Uckfield, Framfield, Blackboys, Cross in Hand and Heathfield before returning.

A VALUABLE SERVICE concessionary passholders) built to remember six young The 262 WEALDLINK bus and is included in the South men, the crew of a Wellington route service is provided by the of England’s ‘Discovery ticket’ bomber who were all killed North Wealden Community scheme that offers one day’s when it crashed on the forest Transport Partnership unlimited travel on all the main on 31 July 1941. Annual (NWCTP) – a not-for-profit bus operators in the area. remembrance services are still company, registered charity held here. and approved provider of WINNIE THE POOH WALKS community transport for the Along the route there are SHOPPING AND ONWARD North Wealden area. The Town numerous places to visit JOURNEYS Council provides financial including access to some This is the perfect service support to NWCTP so that wonderful walks on Ashdown to try out the local shopping these services can continue. It Forest. For all you Winnie the at Uckfield if you live in the is a public bus service (free to Pooh lovers, stop off at Chuck outlying villages. The 262 bus “I am delighted that the Hatch to play Pooh Sticks on is also timed to coincide with Saturday 262 service, Pooh Bridge or at Gills Lap the 291 bus service between which is part of our for a short walk taking in The Tunbridge Wells and East “Take the Bus for a Enchanted Place, Roo’s sandy Grinstead giving customers pit and the Heffalump trap. more options for their Walk” initiative will And if you feel like a longer shopping expeditions. again this year be able walk you can visit Eeyore’s to take passengers from gloomy place and the North FREE TEA AND COFFEE Heathfield, Uckfield Pole as well. Enjoy a free tea or filter coffee and surrounding areas, at Luxfords Restaurant, Civic into the centre of the Further along the route across Centre Uckfield during April Ashdown Forest”. Ashdown Forest you can drop by showing your 262 bus Councillor Barry Marlowe off to visit the Airman’s grave – ticket to a member of the Chairman of Wealden Bus a memorial where, despite its waiting staff when placing Alliance name, no one is buried. It was your order.

38 UCKFIELDVOICE voice the

THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

This meeting will be held in the Ashdown Room Civic Centre, Uckfield on TUESDAY 10 APRIL 2018 at 7.00pm

This is a meeting for residents of Uckfield to ask questions of the Town Mayor and the Chairmen of the Council Committees If you have any questions it would be helpful if you could let the Town Clerk know in advance

Uckfield Town Council Civic Centre, Uckfield TN22 1AE or Email: [email protected] Please join me and the other Councillors for coffee from 6.30pm

Councillor Louise Eastwood Town Mayor

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voice LAST MONTH IN UPCOMING the YOUR COUNCIL MEETINGS Spring is around the corner and a Full Council agendas and minutes can also be seen new financial year on the horizon. at the Uckfield Library. As we near this financial year end, the council has been pulling together its annual reports for the 5 MARCH – GENERAL PURPOSES Annual Town meeting in April and 12 MARCH – PLANS preparing its accounts for audit. 26 MARCH – ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE

Members were pleased to see works 3 APRIL – PLANS start at Hughes Way Play Area in 9 APRIL – FULL COUNCIL February. Despite the poor weather, 10 APRIL – ANNUAL TOWN MEETING contractors worked hard to remove 16 APRIL – GENERAL PURPOSES the existing equipment and start installation. It is hoped that the new 23 APRIL – PLANS play area will be a great facility for 30 APRIL – ENVIRONMENT & LEISURE residents in the surrounding roads and wider Church Coombe estate. If you wish to ask a question at a meeting, on items on the agenda, it is advisable to submit your Grounds staff were asked to increase question beforehand to allow a full response to the frequency of path cleaning at be given at the meeting. All questions should be the entrances to Holy Cross Church directed to the Town Clerk. Please email admin@ to weekly. In addition, councillors uckfieldtc.gov.uk suggested the addition of a handrail to assist visitors when accessing the WORKING TOGETHER grounds of the Church. IN 2018 The Town Council has embarked on a number of It was also agreed to fund the addition new initiatives and invites you as the reader to get of the ‘Ridgewood Village’ signs to the involved in our campaigns – Creating a Dementia new town twinning signs located on Friendly High Street, #GetactiveinUckfield and Dog Lewes Road and Eastbourne Road. Fouling. In light of the recent changes to the Your support with all of these campaigns policing model, the council discussed is encouraged and will help to improve the community safety, requesting that the community. Members have recognised that new Town Clerk look into initiatives that had ways of working could undoubtedly bring change been introduced elsewhere to reduce through cooperation with others. The council the fear of crime and matters relating to is looking forward to our new year and making community safety. progress on the things that matter to you, as our residents. The annual reports of each committee would be published alongside the COMING NEXT MONTH agenda for the Annual Town Meeting in April 2018. • Looking back on 2017/2018 • Allotment Competition • Green tips for Spring 40