Editing Bluebell Railway (section)

===Closure===
In 1954, long before the [[Beeching Axe]], the branch line committee of British Railways proposed closing the line from [[East Grinstead]] to Culver Junction near [[Lewes]].<ref name=Holland/> This was challenged by local residents, but closure was agreed in February 1955 for 15 June 1955, although the line was closed down on 29 May 1956 due to a rail strike.<ref name=awdry/> An acrimonious battle between British Railways and the users of the Bluebell Line then ensued, and lasted three years.<ref name=Holland>{{cite book|title=Dr Beeching's Axe 50 Years On: Memories of Britain's Lost Railways |author=Julian Holland|publisher=David & Charles|date=22 Feb 2013|isbn=978-1446302675}}</ref>

Shortly after closure, Margery Bessemer of Chailey discovered in the 1877 and 1878 acts the clause relating to the "Statutory Line", and demanded British Railways reinstate services. On 7 August 1956, British Railways reopened the line,<ref name=Holland/> with trains stopping at stations mentioned in the acts. British Railways took the case to the House of Commons in 1957, resulting in a public inquiry.<ref name=awdry/><ref name=Holland/> British Railways were censured, but later the Transport Commission persuaded Parliament to repeal the special section of the act. By this means the line was finally closed down on 17 March 1958.<ref name=awdry/><ref name=Holland/>