The Wealden Line Campaign will once again hold its annual walk between Lewes and Uckfield to highlight the mere seven miles of missing rail network between the two towns as a result of a disastrous rail closure in 1969.

The recent problems on the overloaded Brighton line show just how urgent this rail reopening is becoming.

The Lewes to Uckfield link used to provide an alternative route between London and the Sussex coast and could do again if the will is there.

The route could be reopened for about £25 million - the cost of one bypass.

The track bed is protected and it's not a difficult engineering project.

The Labour government has shown no commitment to the Lewes to Uckfield rail reopening despite fine words before coming to power.

It has taken years just to get the promised new trains which will run down as far as Uckfield in the autumn.

These are welcome although long overdue replacements for the ancient relics that currently serve the route.

What this line now needs is destinations south of Uckfield.

-Coun Simon Anderson, Green Party, Lewes Castle Ward, Lewes Town Council (also Chairman of Wealden Line Campaign)