The London Brighton and South Coast Railway opened the Steyning branch line in 1861. The arrival of the railway promoted residential development in the area, expanded the Wednesday cattle market in Market Square and supported the holidaymakers and day trippers visiting Steyning and Bramber. The closure of the line was strongly opposed by many in the town but when British Rail removed much of the track overnight the line finally closed in March 1966 as a result of the Beeching Axe.

Not yet adopted