Publications
Railway Development in the Midhurst Area, by F. H. Smith, published 1976 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 7, article, pp.2-6) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/7] & The Keep [LIB/506524] Download PDF
Abstract:Until fairly recent times the small country town of Midhurst was served by a remarkable network of branch lines in the shape of the letter 'T', The London and South Western Railway (LSWR) ran westwards to Petersfield and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) ran south to Chichester and eastwards to Pulborough. In addition there was a proposal for a line from Midhurst to Haslemere and, as late as 1902, the redoubtable H. F. Stephens of light-railway fame drew up plans for a light railway between Selham, Cranleigh and Ockley.
One reason for this state of affairs was that each of the three lines constructed was envisaged as part of a through route - not merely as a branch to serve Midhurst. The Chichester-Midhurst line was, for example, first proposed as part of the Guildford, Chichester, Portsmouth and Fareham Railway's main line and was revived many years after the GCPF scheme had been abandoned. Railway politics were also responsible as Midhurst lay on the border between the LSWR and the LBSCR territories and was thus served by both companies.
All that remains of this system today is a two-mile spur from Chichester to a gravel pit near Lavant.
One reason for this state of affairs was that each of the three lines constructed was envisaged as part of a through route - not merely as a branch to serve Midhurst. The Chichester-Midhurst line was, for example, first proposed as part of the Guildford, Chichester, Portsmouth and Fareham Railway's main line and was revived many years after the GCPF scheme had been abandoned. Railway politics were also responsible as Midhurst lay on the border between the LSWR and the LBSCR territories and was thus served by both companies.
All that remains of this system today is a two-mile spur from Chichester to a gravel pit near Lavant.