Unofficial exit from Christ's Hospital station

[al78]

Yesterday evening I caught a train from Billingshurst to Christs Hospital. When I got off at Christs Hospital, there was little lighting around and I couldn't see the way out. I was looking for access to the Downs Link which I was planning to use to cycle the short distance home. I walked down the platform a few meters and came across a rough gate and I wondered if that would give me access to the bridleway so I went through it. I emerged in what looked like an open area in the woodland which may have been formerly part of the station but I'm not sure, it was very dark and I had very limited vision of my surroundings. Not seeing any route to the bridleway I retraced my steps and decided to cross to the other platform and found the proper way out. What was the first gate I went through and could I have accessed the Downs Link from there? I don't think I should have gone through it as when I came back I saw a smashed sign on the ground that showed part of the word "Private".

 

[Nottingham59]

Footpathmap.co.uk shows a public footpath (in red) leading from the north end of the platform at Christ's Hospital station to a public bridleway (in purple) which I assume is the Downs Link. Was that the route you found?

 

[30907]

Looking at pictures linked from Googlemaps, the Downslink runs on the north side of the former Guildford line island platform and is not fenced off from it, from which you can reasonably assume that the area (both platforms and the infilled space between) is publicly accessible. No exit appears on the NR station map, but it would be of little use to station users in general.

 

[al78]

Footpathmap.co.uk shows a public footpath (in red) leading from the north end of the platform at Christ's Hospital station to a public bridleway (in purple) which I assume is the Downs Link. Was that the route you found?

View attachment 163753

I think the gate I went through led to that area where the start of the red line is marked but I could see very little so went back and out of the main exit from the station. After exiting the car park I knew where I was going. Turn left onto the road, that leads to an access path for the Downs Link. Just used my bike light to illuminate the fingerposts and take the right path, it does a circular loop under the tracks to the side I originally tried to exit from, then joins the Downs Link passing the old platform which was originally used for Guildford-bound trains

 

[swt_passenger]

I think the gate I went through led to that area where the start of the red line is marked but I could see very little so went back and out of the main exit from the station. After exiting the car park I knew where I was going. Turn left onto the road, that leads to an access path for the Downs Link. Just used my bike light to illuminate the fingerposts and take the right path, it does a circular loop under the station to the side I originally tried to exit from, then joins the Downs Link passing the old platform which was originally used for Guildford-bound trains

I saw something about that underpass only being reopened 2 or 3 years ago, perhaps the gate was the only way to get to the old platforms at some point in the past?

 

[E759]

The gate at the London end of the Up platform leads to the Guildford line platforms and hence the Downslink. I've never seen the gate locked. The Guildford line platforms - apart from the edge facing the bridleway! - are filled in so you can't fall off and there is a ramp leading down to the bridleway at the Guilford end. There are a fair few trip hazards so if it's pitch black and it's the first time you've been there then taking the long way round was the correct choice!

There used to be a massive road detour of the Downslink so you never went anywhere near Christs Hospital station. The underpass restoration and curved bridleway ramp up to track level by the platforms is a massive improvement.

 

[al78]

There used to be a massive road detour of the Downslink so you never went anywhere near Christs Hospital station. The underpass restoration and curved bridleway ramp up to track level by the platforms is a massive improvement.

I recall when I first moved to the area that when I cycled along the bridleway that runs south-west from Broadbridge Heath and meets the Downslink, it wasn't possible to use it to get to Christs Hospital. The road route you mention was towards Barns Green and turn left at Weston's Farm which takes you to the Downslink towards Southwater.

 

[AlastairFraser]

The gate at the London end of the Up platform leads to the Guildford line platforms and hence the Downslink. I've never seen the gate locked. The Guildford line platforms - apart from the edge facing the bridleway! - are filled in so you can't fall off and there is a ramp leading down to the bridleway at the Guilford end. There are a fair few trip hazards so if it's pitch black and it's the first time you've been there then taking the long way round was the correct choice!

There used to be a massive road detour of the Downslink so you never went anywhere near Christs Hospital station. The underpass restoration and curved bridleway ramp up to track level by the platforms is a massive improvement.

How long ago did this change? I vaguely remember cycling down from Guildford via Cranleigh and a section being unavailable at the south end, so I had to use the road for a while towards Christ's Hospital.

 

[E759]

Missing link officially opened September 2020.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Missing link officially opened September 2020.

Thx, knew that it was new

 

[Bikeman78]

Looking at pictures linked from Googlemaps, the Downslink runs on the north side of the former Guildford line island platform and is not fenced off from it, from which you can reasonably assume that the area (both platforms and the infilled space between) is publicly accessible. No exit appears on the NR station map, but it would be of little use to station users in general.

I remember the gate was there 30 years ago. At that time, the gap between the Guildford platforms was not filled in. There was still railway equipment visible, e.g. point rods a short distance beyond the platform ramp.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Stn is effectively unstaffed so whats the harm and signposting it as an exit anyhow