Steyning Line History
The Steyning Line ran from Horsham to Shoreham-by-Sea along the river Adur valley. It was opened in 1861 and was approximately 20 miles long. Initially it was single track but upgraded to double track in 1879.
The line was never a through route, so depended on local industry and agriculture for its business.
George Cockman’s book describes life on the line, and I was surprised and delighted to find a reference in there to a Mr Pavey enjoying his journey – perhaps a great relative?
Steyning’s market, located next to the station in Market Field, was held every Wednesday when there would be auctions for cattle, sheep, poultry and other livestock. Animals were transported into Steyning by train from as far away as Cornwall. During the school holidays, I found it fascinating to go down there and see the sheep pens, auction ring and poultry house.
During the two wars, the Line became an important transport link taking troops and equipment to the port at Newhaven.
A special celebration was organized in 1961 to mark the Line's centenary.
The Steyning Line never carried enough traffic to be very profitable and losses increased after the 2nd World War. The Beeching Report of 1963 listed Steyning for closure. This was a somewhat controversial decision as it was based on ticket sales at the branch line stations, ignoring that a significant amount of business came from people purchasing their fares from outside the area including those for market days and day pupils attending Steyning Grammar School. But despite the protests and appeals by locals, Steyning was closed on 7th March 1966.
A wide range of steam engine types ran through Steyning, perhaps the largest of these being the Battle of Britain Class.
Steam was phased out in the final years, with diesel locomotives being used for the last 18 months of operation.
The station was demolished after closure, the line taken up and the route then left abandoned for many years.
Eventually the line was redeveloped as part of the A283 Steyning bypass, and station site is now housing. The only building left from the original site is the white auction house that has been
converted to flats.
Several historians appear to suggest the Steyning Line a failure as it was unprofitable. But for me, that conclusion ignores the Steyning Line’s place in our social history where it supported the local community transport needs in a time when cars were rare, supported the war efforts, and was an important transport link for the agricultural industry to feed our country for over 100 years.
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