Hamsey Loop Line Tour (near Lewes, Sussex)

Description

The Hamsey loop, near Lewes in Sussex is a short, but keenly discussed piece of disused railway line.

It used to link the current Lewes to Haywards Heath line with the Bluebell/Lewes to Uckfield stretch. Leaving the Haywards Heath line in an easterly direction, it sweeps round to the west of Hamsey island and then joins the Barcombe bound stretch just to the north of Hamsey.

Unlike many of the disused lines, the demise of this one long pre-dates Beeching, going back to the late 1800s when it was last used. What makes it a point of debate now is that, should the greatly campaigned for Uckfield to Lewes line re-open, this would be the most logical route back into Lewes, as three broken bridges and a missing viaduct over Cliffe high street prohibit using the original route.

In any case, this short film just serves to show how the track bed looks in November 2007. The vast majority of the trackbed is shown in some detail and any points of interest in the surrounding scenery are taken in too.

The sunny weather was unusually good for November giving fantastic light for many of the shots. Includes constant running commentary.