The present Uckfield station opened in 1991
replacing the original structure which was sited 50 metres to the south. With
the closure of the line south to Lewes (where a junction allowed trains to
continue on to Eastbourne or Brighton), the original station found itself
stranded on the wrong side of a level crossing on the High Street which created
traffic congestion whenever a train was arriving or departing from the station.
The decision was therefore made to close the original station (which had been
opened in 1868) and to open a new station on the other side of the road. The
original station was demolished on 9 December 2000 after it had been damaged by
vandals.
A campaign to re-open the line south of Uckfield through to Lewes, known as the
Wealden Line, has been ongoing since 1986 and has attracted cross-party
support. In 2008 the "Wealdenlink" presentation was published which gave new
impetus to the campaign for reinstatement.[3]. On 23 July 2008 the Central Rail
Corridor Board (a joint group of local councils and stakeholders) commissioned
study by Network Rail reported that there was not an economic case for
reopening, citing a £141 million cost and a low "Benefit To Cost ratio" of 0.64
to 0.79 when a BCR of 1.5 is the minimum needed to make a scheme viable.
Whereas the neighbouring East Grinstead line is electric, the Uckfield line is
run only by diesel trains. It has been proposed many times that the line be
electrified, but this is considered too expensive.
(from Wikipedia)
Southern
Railway Ltd provide a commuter train
service between Uckfield and London. Here are the current timetables in PDF
format:
Uckfield to London: Monday–Friday Saturday Sunday LIVE TIMETABLES
For journeys far and wide go to National Rail Enquiries Timetable where you can enter your journey details, or call 0870 830 6000. Download PDF of the area map(43k)
Network Rail's final report into the reinstatement of the Lewes-Uckfield railway line - download PDF
The Bluebell Railway is Uckfield's famous steam locomotive. They have a very comprehensive site well worth a visit.
For Taxis see Local Services
See the
Bus
Services Page for timetables and contacts.
Transmanche
Ferries now run the Newhaven-Dieppe route. Prices seem very reasonable.
The Uckfield Travel Centre 103 High Street, Uckfield TN22 1RP
The Red Box Travel & Leisure Company Ltd. 45 High Street, Uckfield TN22 1AB 01892 760 488
Countywide Driving School There are 3 local instructors and the company is owned by a family that has lived in Uckfield for 26 years. Countywide offers training for new drivers and also trains experienced drivers to become Driving Instructors and also offers qualified Instructors the opportunity to work.
For planning trips to London here's an excellent Central London Bus Map and the London Underground Map.
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