The Ashurst-Groombridge Spur
This was once part of a main line between London Victoria and Tunbridge Wells. As such, it formed an intrinsic part of BR’s intended 1964 Electrification Programme to serve East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells. Despite eventual closure along with Lewes-Uckfield in 1969, its valuable potential remains.
As part of WEALDENLINK it would considerably enhance operational flexibility and provide an additional direct route between London and Tunbridge Wells.
It would also enable Tunbridge Wells to be included in the Thameslink Expansion.
The Eridge-Tunbridge Wells section is now safeguarded by both regional and local authority planning policies. However, these came too late to prevent a housing estate being built on the former goods yard at Groombridge which was regrettably allowed to encroach right across the original main line alignment (shown in red).
As illustrated, the current preserved railway operators are restricted by tight curves through this location. This arrangement is clearly inappropriate for the restoration of the route to the national rail network. Mott MacDonald engineers considered as practical the suggested re-alignment (shown in blue) to accommodate double track for normal railway operation. This would necessitate some earthworks, a concrete retaining wall along the cutting side, as well as a new overline bridge.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS WEST
 Tunbridge Wells West is the KEY location to increasing network capacity and flexibility, improving train services across the South East and enhancing the expansion of Thameslink.
The superstore partially obstructs the rail route, although Sainsbury’s has given a written undertaking to remove any buildings (at their cost) should the railway be reopened.
Currently, the potential of the site is largely wasted on large areas of ground level car parking.
There exist substantial opportunities to imaginatively redesign the whole area and obtain far more value from the site. A modified or new superstore incorporating multi-storey car parking for both shoppers and commuters would make significantly better use of the land.
The listed station buildings, now a restaurant, would benefit from sympathetic restoration whereby, with its new direct rail links, this superior station would once again become a vibrant part of the town and the nearby Pantiles area of Tunbridge Wells.
Unlike the cramped Tunbridge Wells (Central) this magnificent station could comfortably accommodate 12-car trains and provide all the capacity the region is demanding.
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