Until this point, cross-channel passenger services from London to Paris, had mainly operated from Brighton using the 1820 completed Chain Pier, and secondly from Shoreham.

[4] With the opening of the Seaford branchline and the completion of the new docks facility, the LB&SCR funded the dredging of the harbour's channel, and other associated improvements between 1850 and 1878.

[3] The village of Newhaven greatly expanded on the back of the works to a town, as they allowed a large increase in both trade and subsequently population.

In addition to inheriting railway operations, the SR also gained several important South Coast of England port and harbour facilities, all constructed at least in part for handling ocean-going and cross-channel passenger traffic.

This source of regular passenger traffic, together with the density of population served in the London suburbs, ensured that the SR was a predominantly passenger-orientated railway.

Between 22 September 1916 and 2 December 1918, the port and town of Newhaven were designated a 'Special Military Area' under the 'Defence of the Realm Regulations', and the Harbour station was closed to the public.

[14] The port and harbour facilities, rail sidings and warehousing were greatly enlarged at this time and electric lighting installed to allow for 24-hour operation.

Eleven of the ships were lost to enemy attacks from mines, submarines, aeroplanes or "torpedo boat-destroyers" and about a hundred of the seamen, who had become well known to the local townspeople, were killed.

As one of the few ports within the proposed landing area, Newhaven was targeted by the German invasion plans for Operation Sea Lion and additional guns and fortifications were added in 1940.

Initially reliant on coal in the Victorian era, the port was redeveloped in 1938 by filling in basins and leaving a straight frontage along the River Ouse.

In 1968 the goods sidings access was removed from Newhaven Harbour railway station, resulting in the closure of the local coal yard and that traffic source.

In 2020, East Sussex County Council commissioned the building of a new relief road to the port to reduce traffic congestion in residential areas.

[15] Although there are some signs of the derelict facilities at Newhaven Marine station, the port still sees a great deal of freight and passenger movement.

One of five companies invited to tender for the operation of the service, LD Lines was awarded the contract on 21 December 2006, receiving an annual subsidy of up to €14.6 million.

[20] The town used a combination of funds raised locally and contributed by Lloyd's of London to purchase a lifeboat built to Henry Greathead's "Original" design.