Although it may be hard to imagine picturesque Cuckmere Valley from Exceat to the river outlet was once an area of considerable industry, until the mid 1960s when sand and shingle extraction from the coast was terminated by the marine agency. In1931 a lease was given enabling the construction of a narrow gauge railway from the estuary to a terminus at New Wharf on the south side of Exceat Bridge. Initially it was agreed that removal of 700 tons of sand and shingle each month from the foreshore between West Beach and Cliff End.
During WWII the valley was heavily mined and the RAF commandeered acreage south of the bridge. A decoy lighting array NO 665, to replicate Newhaven’s harbour’s north quay, was created to draw enemy aircraft away from the port to the unoccupied Cuckmere region. It is not known if this intriguing ploy was successful. Reed type shrouded lights on stakes were turned on if a raid was expected.
The narrow gauge sand and gravel extraction lines were reinstated post war. The system was elementary by current standards. The driver-less trains were often derailed and industrial debris littered the meadows. The foreshore extractions at Cuckmere were terminated in the mid 1960’s by the Marine Agency.
NB The concrete lane towards the estuary was not part of the railway, it was laid in 1970 by the milk marketing board to access collections at Fox Hole Farm.
To find this cache follow the stages which will take you down to the begining of the track at the foreshore
Stage 1(Starting GZ) - Find the Seven Sisters Country Park sign, A = number of words on the title wooden board +1
Stage 2 - Find the gate, look for the centerwire sign - E15C8 75B554
Stage 3 - Looking East there is an ornathogical sign, D = number of words on sign
Finall location N50 45.A,E,D E000 09.B,C,D+1 Please replace well hidden as found
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breath taking view. Its a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the http://www.sidetrackedseries.info