Rural branch line was kept open for sugar beet trains

The branch line from Chichester to Midhurst lost its passenger service on July 6, 1935.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Oct 2016, 06:00 BST

Updated 25th Oct 2016, 20:52 BST

Lavant station on the Chichester to Midhurst branch line, about 1972

The line was lifted from Lavant to Midhurst, but between Chichester and Lavant it remained open for farmers’ use.

Sugar beet was grown in substantial amounts worthy of keeping a train service until January 1970.

The line was then cut back to serve a gravel pit between 1972 and 1991.

The station is now a private residence and the former trackbed is now a walking and cycling trail called the Centurion Way.

- Many of you will have been intrigued this week by pictures on these pages loaned to us by one of our regular contributors, Barry Cox. They included one of the Foudroyant.

Yesterday’s photographs of Guildhall Square, Greetham Street and Commercial Road in Portsmouth, plus those of Havant precinct and station staff at Havant were also his and should have been credited to Barry.