reconstructing The railway line between Bodiam & Robertsbridge

Join us on an historic journey to restore the missing rail link

Robertsbridge Junction Station Platform
NEWS

The Transport and Works Act Rother Valley Railway

Bodiam to Robertsbridge Junction

We are delighted to share with you the good news for the reconnection of the Kent and East Sussex Railway to the Network Rail main line at Robertsbridge which will bring great economic benefit to the local area. More information on our News Blog.

Objectives & Benefits

The Rother Valley Railway will create a transport link between the main line railway at Robertsbridge and popular attractions such as the National Trust’s Bodiam Castle and Tenterden, the “Jewel of the Weald”.

Public Transport Benefits

Visitors will be able to use the country’s public transport system to access the Kent & East Sussex Railway helping reduce traffic on local roads.


Bodiam Castle attracts 185,000 visitors a year and most arrive by car. Discounts to Bodiam Castle are offered to those who use public transport.


Hourly services run between London Charing Cross and Hastings seven days a week. The journey from London is 1.3 hours and from Hastings 23 minutes.

Economic Benefits

The Robertsbridge “gateway” will offer a new larger tourist catchment area. Tenterden is the largest town in Kent without a railway connected to the main line.


The restored railway would expect to generate a final micro-multiplier. In other words, for each £1.00 spent, additional money will be spent locally.


Increased passenger numbers create local jobs, approximately 6 new employees for each 20,000 railway passengers gained.

What Rother Valley Railway has achieved

Working towards a 3.5-mile long rail link restoration project.

  • Secured the funding for the reconnection project
  • Half the land requirements negotiated
  • Route safeguarded in Rother District Council Local Plan
  • Planning permission for track and new station granted
  • Rebuilt track west from Bodiam Station up to Junction Road
  • Restored 5 bridges, protected embankment from river flow erosion