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NEWS
2010
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Above:
The
neat little station at Fort Brockhurst on the former LSWR branch from
Fareham to Gosport was up for sale in June 2009, which explains why
the ground floor windows had all been boarded up. Until the final
freight-only years under BR, the branch was double track throughout;
this is the up platform, with the down one out of view on the left.
There was a third platform which started behind the station house
and despatched trains to Lee-on-Solent until New Year's Eve, 1930.
It survives beneath the trees as one of the few tangible reminders
that that there ever was a railway to this little-known seaside destination.
In the near future, a 'rapid transit' bus route will take over much
of this former branch. 6th June 2009. (Jeff Vinter) |
December
2010. Luxulyan to Ponts Mill, Cornwall. English Heritage
has awarded funding for a survey of Treffry Viaduct on Treffry's
Tramway to be undertaken, as a result of which the structure will
close for two weeks from 4 January 2011 for this to be carried out.
Cornwall Council and Cornwall Heritage Trust own the landmark, but
leakage and tree roots are causing damage which threatens its long
term future. The viaduct is 89 ft high and 650 ft long, with each
of its 10 arches having a span of 40 ft. It last carried traffic
in the 1930s, but has been used for many years as a footpath. Click
here for a sketch
map of the area; if anyone can advise who owns this map, please
let us know via our Contact
page so that we can deal appropriately with any copyright issues.
(Chris Sawle and Ralph Rawlinson)
December 2010.
Edington Junction to Bridgwater, Somerset. Having been closed for
several years due to a local landowner withdrawing permission for
his land to be crossed, the short railway path between Cossington
and Bawdrip has now been re-opened thanks to the generosity of a
(presumably different) local landowner. The trail runs for just
under a mile from the former level crossing at ST 354406 to ST 345398,
just east of the site of Bawdrip Halt. Enthusiasts of the Somerset
& Dorset Railway will recognise this as part of that company's
former Bridgwater branch. This section now forms part of The West
Country Way, NCN3, The Stop Line Way and NCN33, the latter now being
open between Burnham on Sea and Chard, thus adding 17 miles to the
existing cycle route route. (Sustrans Ltd)
November 2010.
Workington, Cumbria. Twelve months ago, the Cumbrian floods washed
away or damaged four of the five cycle, road and rail bridges over
the River Derwent in Workington. It
has now been announced that the cycle bridge, which utilised the
piers of the bridge built by the former Cleator & Workington
Junction Railway for its line from Cleator Moor Junction to Workington
(Siddick Junction), will be replaced by a new bowstring structure.
For further details and a photograph, click here
to read the article published by the local newspaper, The News &
Star. (Ralph Rawlinson)
November
2010. Radstock to Frome, Somerset. Further to our report
in May (see here) about plans to extend
Collier's Way (NCN24) from Great Elm to Frome, representatives from
Frome's Missing Link, Frome Town Council and Mendip District Council
have now met to decide how to progress the project, starting with
an investigation of the land ownership issues. In addition, Rupert
Crosbee from Sustrans has had an informal meeting with Network Rail
to gain an understanding of NR's views about the cycle trail being
routed alongside part of the single track freight line from Whatley
Quarry to Frome North Junction. just east of the town's historic
railway station. (It is one of very few to retain its overall Brunelian
roof.) A website, www.fromesmissinglink.org.uk,
has been launched to keep supporters up-to-date with developments.
(Jeff Vinter)
November 2010.
Kemp Town Tunnel, Brighton, East Sussex. Moves are afoot to arrange
some walks next year through Kemp Town Tunnel on the short branch
from Brighton to Kemp Town. The walks will form part of the 2011
Brighton Festival, provided that the negotiations are successful.
If this is the case, then we hope to publish details on this site
some time next year. (Ralph Rawlinson) |
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Above:
On Sunday 7th November, the crowd of walkers, cyclists and horse riders
waiting for the opening of the new Hodmoor bridge (S&DJR no. 185)
near Stourpaine on the Somerset & Dorset Railway, now the North
Dorset Trailway, stretched back almost to the infilled road-over-rail
bridge at Gains Cross. As can be seen, the occasion was blessed with
bright, sunny weather. (Jeff Vinter) |
November
2010. Sturminster Newton to Stourpaine, Dorset. Further
to our report last month, the new Hodmoor Bridge over the River
Stour on the S&DR north of Stourpaine was opened officially
on Sunday 7th November. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered at Shillingstone
Recreation Ground at 11:30 a.m. for a two mile walk to the bridge,
where at 12 noon there was an official opening ceremony including
the traditional cutting of the ribbon. For further details and pictures,
see Photo Gallery 49. (Jeff Vinter)
November 2010.
Broadford Pier to Kilchrist Quarries, Skye. The Heritage Trail Project
and Broadford Environmental Group are installing a new span on the
original abutments of the railway bridge at Broadford in order to
create a 2½ mile 'heritage footpath' along the trackbed of
a 3 ft. gauge line built in 1904 by the Skye Marble Company. This
will enable Broadford Pier to be linked with the original quarries,
the remains of which occupy a lonely spot half way up a mountain.
The project, backed by a sizeable consortium of community and local
government interests, will restore a section of track on the pier
and install an information board. (Jeff Vinter)
October 2010.
Merthyr and Cefn Glas Tunnels, Mid Glamorgan. Back in March, The
Western Mail reported that Dafydd Trystan Davies, a director
of Sustrans and former chief executive of Plaid Cymru, had called
for old railway tunnels in South Wales to be refurbished and re-opened
to link communities. He called specifically for Merthyr and Cefn
Glas Tunnels to be re-opened to link the Cynon Valley and Merthyr
Tydfil areas, claiming that they could prove a 'great attraction'
once proper lighting and safety measures had been installed. Mr
Davies has now asked the transport authorities to do a feasibility
study into restoring the tunnels, which were on the lines between
Llwydcoed and Merthyr, and Cwmbach and Quaker's Yard, respectively.
(Ralph Rawlinson)
October 2010.
Draycote to Rugby, Warwickshire. NCN41 currently uses a short section
of the former Leamington Spa to Rugby line between Birdingbury Bridge
and Draycote. Sustrans are extending this on from Draycote to Bilton
Lane on the western edge of Rugby to add a further 5 miles to the
railway-based part of the route. (Ralph Rawlinson)
October 2010.
Leominster to Worcester, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The mayor
of Bromyard has proposed that the whole of this route be converted
into a cycle trail, and councillors agreed that Herefordshire Council
should be asked to include a scheme in future development plans.
The intermediate stations at Rowden Mill and Fencote (between Leominster
and Bromyard) have been beautifully restored by enthusiastic owners
who host occasional open days, but much of the trackbed is heavily
overgrown with some sections having been ploughed out. Extensive
negotiations with landowners will be necessary before such a scheme
can succeed. (Ralph Rawlinson) |
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Above:
Something that many railway enthusiasts and many Dorset locals
thought they would never see – the replacement of the long demolished
Hodmoor bridge on the Somerset & Dorset Railway that crossed the
River Stour just west of Stourpaine. This club contributed just under
£2,750 to this project, £2,500 being voted at the 2008
AGM and the remainder being raised from S&D-based events run by
Jeff Vinter from the club's Southern Area. If past practice is anything
to go by, the funding will have been augmented by 'matched giving',
which is what the North Dorset Trailway usually arranges for such
large capital projects. This is yet another astounding achievement
on this much-loved and greatly lamented railway route. For further
details, see the story below. (Graham Rains) |
October
2010. Sturminster Newton to Stourpaine, Dorset. Regular
visitors to this site will recognise this route as part of the former
Somerset & Dorset Railway which, by dint of hard work, the North
Dorset Trailway is gradually converting into a long distance railway
walk and cycle trail. A major drawback to the initial plans for
this section was the absence of two major bridges over the River
Stour – one at Fiddleford and the other just west of Stourpaine
(at grid reference ST 851099). The bridge at Fiddleford was replaced
in October 2006, but this month it was the turn of the one at Stourpaine.
The official opening of the bridge, and the next section of the
Trailway, is scheduled for Sunday 7th November at 12 noon, when
Angus Campbell (from the Trailway, presumably) and the two chairmen
of Stourpaine and Shillingstone parish councils will perform the
opening ceremony. (North Dorset Trailway)
October 2010.
Ryde Pier Head to Ryde Esplanade. Over the last ten years, members
of the Southern Area of this club have, at some time, walked all
the accessible lengths of disused line on the Isle of Wight, including
(thanks to painstaking negotiation by John Elson, John Hague and
Roger Mayo) all those sections which are privately owned. However,
one route that has been conspicuously noticeable by its absence
is the Ryde Pier Tramway, which finally closed in 1969. Now, because
of repairs which are needed to the pier promenade (which gives vehicle
and pedestrian access to the pier head) and which will entail its
closure until March 2011, decking has been laid on the full length
of the former tramway route so that it can be used as a diversion
route by pedestrians. This will give members a unique opportunity
to add the Pier Tramway to their list of former island lines walked.
(Ron Strutt)
September 2010.
Walking the Disused Railways of Kent. This is a new title
by David Bathurst, published by SB Books of Seaford. As with David's
previous venture, Walking the Disused Railways of Sussex,
this book gives a brief history of each line together with detailed
instructions for tracing its remains. The book is well illustrated
with clear sketch maps and a number of black and white prints, which
are beautifully reproduced. However, it disregards the fact that
the vast majority of disused railway land in Kent is now privately
owned, and so concerns arise as to how landowners will feel about
finding published instructions for trespass on their property. From
this point of view, it is perhaps fortunate that some old Kentish
lines are now so far gone that the only practical means of exploration
is from public footpaths, lanes and roads. The book will save any
intending walk leader a huge amount of time in terms of identifying
what remains and devising a route that connects those remains; but
such a person will still face the considerable task of identifying
all of the landowners and securing their permission for a visit.
Walking the Disused Railways of Kent, 136pp, SB Publications,
2010, ISBN 978-1-85770-356-6, £8.99. Website: www.sbpublications.co.uk.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Breamore station, Hampshire, on a glorious Sunday morning in September.
The site looks a whole lot happier than it did when last photographed
by one of our members in August 2003 (click here),
since at that time it looked as if demolition was a distinct possibility.
For many years, and certainly in 2003, the last stationmaster and
his wife lived in one of the railway cottages opposite. Apart from
the restoration of the station, it is good also to see the adjoining
trackbed coming back into use – see the stories below and under
July. (Alan Clarke) |
September
2010. Breamore, Hampshire. This country station on the
former LSWR branch line from Salisbury to West Moors can now, evidently,
be rented as a holiday cottage, as our correspondent discovered
on the morning of Sunday 12th September 2010 when he cycled along
the newly-opened 1.3 miles of tracked that now leads north from
the station. The stinging nettles are the worst obstacle, so members
need to get out there and trample them down! The route is full of
interest as there were many culverts and farm crossings; it is also
due to be extended southwards within the next year. (Alan Clarke)
September 2010.
Maiden Newton to Bridport, Dorset. We have just
received news that the first short section of this attractive branch
line, from Maiden Newton station to Chilfrome Lane, Tollerford,
has just been widened and re-surfaced. The Sustrans ranger who is
working on this project has supplied a progress report (click here),
which contains further details about the project as a whole. (Peter
Henshaw)
August 2010. Stenkrith
(nr. Kirkby Stephen) to Hartley, Cumbria. The Northern Viaduct Trust
has constructed a new car park at Stenkrith, which is attracting
a lot of visitors to this short section of the former Stainmore
route, which includes the Trust's restored viaducts at Podgill and
Merrygill. The Trust is also repairing the Stenkrith overbridge
at the south end of the route, thanks to a grant from the North
Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty authorities. Less pleasing
is news that the Trust's third viaduct in the area, Smardale Gill,
suffered badly during the harsh winter. A number of stones have
fallen, and it will be costly to replace them. (Tony Jervis) |
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Above:
The 'up' platform at Histon station on the former branch
line from Cambridge to St. Ives, now converted into a guided busway
– which still isn't open, despite several deadlines having passed
(see reports further down this page, especially here).
The former railway station is just visible in the centre distance
– look for the building with the grey wall and grey slate roof.
Our correspondent joked that it must be time for the weed-killing
bus to pay a visit! August 2010. (Alan Moore) |
August
2010. Newport to Mallaranny, County Mayo. News has just
arrived that, from November 2009, work was under way on converting
this 12 mile section of the Midland Great Western Railway's remote
branch line from Westport to Achill into a railway path for walkers
and cyclists. Despite the name of the line's destination implying
transport to Achill, the railway never actually crossed Achill Sound
to reach Achill Island proper. (Ralph Rawlinson)
August 2010. Utterby
to Louth, Lincolnshire. This 4 mile section of the former GNR line
from Grimsby to Louth is now owned by the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway,
which has erected signs along the route to permit walking on a permissive
basis until such time as it relays the track. Anyone taking advantage
of this should be aware that, during summer, some 'jungle-bashing'
is necessary in the middle section near Fotherby. (Phil Earnshaw)
August 2010.
Pontrhydyfen to Cymmer via Cynonville, South Glamorgan. This railway
path – part of the former Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway
– is closed, probably until late 2011, between Pontrhydyfen
and Cynonville because the trackbed was built on a high embankment
which the River Afan has undermined. Until repairs are complete,
an alternative route between Pontrhydyfen and Cymmer is available
on the opposite, i.e. north, side of the Afan Valley along the trackbed
of the former South Wales Mineral Railway. (Ralph Rawlinson)
July 2010.
Conisbrough to Harlington, South Yorkshire. This section of the
Trans Pennine Trail (NCN62) uses 3 miles of the former Dearne Valley
Railway but used to deviate around the massive Conisbrough
Viaduct at the south eastern end. Now, Sustrans has laid a tarmac
path across the viaduct, which comprises a central girder section
with 14 arches to the north and 7 to the south. We presume that
connection is made with the A630 at the south eastern end; confirmation
from any member(s) living locally would be appreciated - please
use the e-mail link on our Contact
page. (Jeff Vinter)
July 2010.
Oldham to Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. This line had been
identified as a route for Sustrans' Connect2 project, but the local
authority has baulked at the cost of reinstating a viaduct at Park
Bridge , which crossed the valley of the River Medlock but was demolished
in the 1970s. The railway was built originally by the Oldham, Ashton
& Guide Bridge Joint Railway, a joint venture of the GCR and
LNWR. Currently, 2 miles of the trackbed are in use, as part of
NCN66, from south of Park Bridge (SD 939022) to just north of Ashton-Under-Lyne
station (SJ 938999). In February this year, councillor Mark Alcock
said that Oldham Council hoped to complete the route along the former
railway, without the bridge, by 2012. In the meantime, it was proceeding
with work to create better off-road walking and cycling links to
Rochdale. (Liam Standing)
July 2010.
South Charford to Breamore, Hampshire. Thanks to the efforts of
Hampshire County Council, this 1¼ mile section of the former
LSWR line from Salisbury (Alderbury Junction) to West Moors is now
a permissive walk. The New Forest National Park Authority provided
funding for the construction of a new bridge, while vegetation was
cleared by volunteers from the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath
Society and Breamore Parish Council. HCC hopes to extend the path
southwards to Burgate Cross, on the A338 north of Fordingbridge,
in 2011. The south end of the trail passes through Breamore station.
Click here
to view HCC's route map. (Lionel and Zita Pilbeam)
July 2010. Wheathampstead
Station, Hertfordshire. It had been assumed for years that nothing
remained of Wheathampstead station, which is (or was) situated on
Hertfordshire's Ayot Greenway. However, this year volunteers have
located the remains and are re-constructing the platform from authentic
materials, and turning both it and the adjoining trackbed into a
wildlife and picnic area in time for the 150th anniversary of its
opening in September. The project is on schedule, although the volunteers
have had difficulty in sourcing authentic bricks, paving, etc. (Ralph
Rawlinson)
July
2010. Alnmouth to Alnwick, Northumberland. Earlier this
month, Northumberland County Council issued planning permission
for the re-building of this 3 mile ex-NER branch line. This includes
consent for a cycle trail to be constructed alongside the restored
railway. Click here
for further details published by the BBC. In years gone by, trains
could reverse at Alnwick on to the long rural branch line to Coldstream
- see Photo Galleries 29 (scroll
down) and 30 for a record of
a visit in March 2008. (Graham Lambert)
July 2010.
Dunford Bridge to Penistone and Wortley, South Yorkshire. The once
industrial South Yorkshire area has lost much of its industry and
many of the accompanying railways, but the local authorities have
made a superb job of re-using what has been lost. The latest rail
trail to come to our attention, albeit belatedly, is this 10½
mile route which uses part of the old trans-Pennine Woodhead route
between Dunford Bridge and Penistone (part of NCN62, the Trans Pennine
Trail), before turning south to follow the GCR's old Sheffield Victoria
line as far as Finkle Street, near Wortley (part of NCN6). The trail
cannot follow the trackbed south of Finkle Street because the line
is still in situ and used to convey steel traffic from
Stocksbridge. (Jeff Vinter)
July 2010.
Aberdeen to Ballater, Grampian. On 10 March this year, a missing
bridge over West Cults Road in West Cults (south west of Aberdeen)
was replaced by a new £170,000 footbridge to carry the Deeside
Way. Before the bridge was installed, on average more than 500 pedestrians
and 200 cyclists per day were using the route, and Aberdeen City
Council hopes that these numbers will increase now that this road
crossing has been made so much safer. (Ralph Rawlinson)
July 2010. Chapeltown
to Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire. Sustrans has confirmed that work
will start soon on this extension to NCN67, the Chapeltown Greenway,
which will extend this off-road route by an extra 2 miles. The greenway
utilises parts of the old Great Central line from Dovecliffe to
Tinsley. (Ralph Rawlinson)
July 2010. West
Ashfield Station, London. Never heard of West Ashfield? It is London
Transport's strangest station - read all about it by clicking the
link here.
Many thanks to 'Roger's Radar' for finding this fascinating account.
(Roger Cleaver)
June 2010. Sandford
and Banwell Station, Somerset. This former station on the old Cheddar
Valley line has now been restored and was opened recently by Prince
Richard of Gloucester. Formerly the Sandford Stone Centre, the old
railway site has been re-developed as an attractive retirement village
with pride of place given to the restored station, which is now
a railway museum. The large goods shed to the south of the station
has also been restored and now accommodates a spacious restaurant.
A group called the Sandford Station Railway Heritage Centre Group
has been set up to run the museum, which is housed in the old ticket
office building. The group describes the station, a Grade II listed
building constructed by the Bristol & Exeter Railway, as 'an
architectural gem and one of the best examples of its kind to be
found'. (Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society)
May 2010. Trieste
(Italy) to Porec (Croatia). A 123 kilometre narrow gauge railway
known as the 'Parenzana' or TPC (Trieste-Parenzo-Canfanaro) used
to link these two towns. Opened in 1902, the line finally closed
on 31 August 1935, unable to compete with cheaper road transport.
With financial help from the European Union, the route is now being
turned into a long distance cycle trail, details of which can be
viewed by clicking the link here.
Mr. Sascha Cosic, Sales Manager of the project, has contacted the
club and is keen to see if he can arrange something of interest
for our members. If this is of interest, please get in touch with
Sascha's organisation using the contact form here.
(Sascha Cosic)
May
2010. Radstock to Frome, Somerset. Frome Town Council is
thinking of extending Collier's Way (NCN24) from Great Elm to Frome.
At the moment, the existing railway path leads users from Radstock
to a temporary road-based link into Frome, which – not surprisingly
– is little used. (Alan Clarke) Update: This
project has now been taken on by a local community group; click
here.
May 2010.
Eccles to Leigh, Greater Manchester. After being put on hold for
five years, Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA)
has again resurrected plans for a guided busway that will link Manchester
city centre with Leigh. The eastern half of the route will be along
the East Lancashire Road but, in the area of Wigan Metropolitan
Borough Council, it will utilise the Ellenbrook-Tyldesley section
of the former Manchester-Wigan line and the whole of the Tyldesley-Leigh
line, both ex-LNWR. After all the adverse publicity over guided
busway projects elsewhere (i.e. escalating costs, severe delays
and operational problems), it seems beyond belief that any local
authority would still be pursuing such a course. What is worse is
that this proposal threatens two existing and popular railway paths.
In the Salford City Council area, Eccles-Ellenbrook is already a
cycle trail (part of NCN55), as is Tyldesley-Leigh in the Wigan
MBC area, while most of the remainder is also a well used path.
Sustrans has plans to extend NCN55 westwards from Ellenbrook, through
Tyldesley to Wigan – plans that will be adversely affected,
at the very least, if this guided busway project goes ahead. (Ralph
Rawlinson) Webmaster's Note: So far, the most problem-beset
and unpopular guided busway project has been that from Cambridge
to St. Ives - see here, here
and here.
May 2010.
Maiden Newton to Bridport, Dorset. Following a visit to West Dorset
on May Day, the Webmaster is pleased to report that a further section
of the former Bridport branch can now be walked, from Loders to
just west of Powerstock station. The grid references are SY 497941
to SY 522954, a distance of 2 miles. Powerstock station remains
just across the lane at the latter point but is privately owned
– please respect the owners' privacy. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Fledborough Viaduct, seen here looking north, crosses the River Trent
in Nottinghamshire and is one of the largest in the country –
this photograph shows just over half of the structure. It is situated
on the former Great Central line from Pyewipe Junction, west of Lincoln,
to Clipstone Junction, where separate branches diverged to Mansfield
and Warsop. This photograph was taken in 2006, before the viaduct
was converted into part of a cycle trail; see the story below for
further details. (Bob Prigg) |
April
2010. High Marnham to Pyewipe Junction, Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire.
The substantial Fledborough Viaduct has a secure future now that
it has been converted into part of a cycle trail. The whole of the
former GCR trackbed between High Marnham and Pyewipe Junction (just
west of Lincoln) is now a 9 mile cycleway, with the designations
being NCN647 for High Marnham to Harby, and NCN64 for Harby to Pyewipe
Junction. The viaduct is a giant amongst viaducts, comprising 9
million bricks, 59 arches and four central spans over the River
Trent. The official opening (or, strictly, re-opening) is scheduled
for 5 June 2010. (Ralph Rawlinson)
April 2010. Caernarfon
to Bryncir, Gwynedd. Gwynedd Council's Environment Service and Tidy
Towns scheme have secured a Tidy Towns grant to block off a redundant
railway tunnel on the Lôn Eifion cycle trail near Caernarfon.
Evidently, the tunnel had been the scene of some anti-social behaviour
and its closure is expected to stop that, while creating a safe
haven for lesser horseshoe bats. Mark Balaam, the council's senior
countryside warden, said that Gwynedd is one of the most important
areas for lesser horseshoe bats in Europe. While closure of the
tunnel is a loss for explorers of old railways, it is understandable
if the tunnel was being used inappropriately. If any member can
provide details of the problem, please get in touch using the e-mail
link on our Contact page. (Martin
Briscoe and 'Malcolm 13751')
April 2010.
Callander to Doune, Stirling. During a holiday in the Highlands,
the proprietor of Mounter Bikes in Ancaster Square, Callander (with
excellent bikes for hire – tel. 01877 331052) advised that
Sustrans and the local authority have concluded negotiations to
create a new 8 mile railway path on the trackbed of the former Caledonian
Railway between Callander and Doune. The date for completion is
not yet known, but this will put Callander in the middle of a 17
mile railway path linking Doune with Strathyre. A 9 mile railway-based
trail between Callander and Strathyre is already open and part of
the Rob Roy Way. (Jeff Vinter)
April 2010.
Ballachulish to Connel, Highland and Argyll. As reported in January
2009, this former Caledonian Railway branch line of ca. 28 miles
is being converted into a long distance cycle trail. The section
from Ballachulish to Ballachulish Ferry is due to be completed in
May, while the section from Ballachulish Ferry to Kentallen is already
open (click here for details).
Further south, two substantial sections of the line have now been
converted between Appin and Barcaldine. They can be accessed near
the entrances to Appin House and Barcaldine Sea Life Centre respectively,
both on the west side of the A828. The new sections are not joined
together yet, but progress is impressive and represents at least
5 miles of new railway path. En route, the old station
at Creagan has been superbly restored by the owners of a local holiday
park. This is definitely a route to watch. (Jeff Vinter)
April
2010. Radstock to Midsomer Norton, Somerset. NCN48 already
connects Radstock with Midsomer Norton along the former GWR line,
but work has now started on a second link using the former Somerset
& Dorset 'high level' line. The route, named the ‘Five
Arches Greenway’, will link the current 'Norton-Radstock Greenway',
which skirts the northern part of the town, to Midsomer Norton town
centre; the map here
(from Bath & North East Somerset Council) shows the new route
in its context. Members who have been familiar with this area since
the demise of the Somerset coal mining industry in the late 1970s
will be pleased to note that all four routes shown on the map leading
out of Radstock are based on old railways – two on the former
GWR and two on the former S&D lines through the town. The S&D
line to Midsomer Norton is the last of the four to receive attention,
and certainly needed it. Although acquired by the old Avon County
Council as a railway path, by 2008 the south end was an impassable
tangle of vegetation. (Ralph Rawlinson and Jeff Vinter)
April 2010.
Launceston to Wadebridge, Cornwall. One story that escaped our notice
last summer concerned the LSWR's former North Cornwall line. The
August 2009 edition of 'Heritage Railway' published an article about
Cornwall Council's plans to link the Tarka and Camel Trails, re-using
as much as possible of the old North Cornwall line. Click here
for full details. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
'It's
news, Jim, but not as we know it.' This corner of the Webmaster's
study is where it all happens and, as you can see, now proudly displays
an authentic railway sign. Or is it? This purchase was made at Minehead
station during the West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam Gala in
March, and it confused the heck out of a lot of railway enthusiasts!
'Where's that then? Must be a station in Ireland with a name like.'
Well, yes. Ireland does have some fine names for its towns and villages,
Ballybunion amongst them. However, Buggleskelly never existed –
except in the imagination of the writer Frank Launder, who wrote
the story on which the 1937 film 'Oh
Mr Porter' was based. In the film, Cliddesden (on the Basingstoke
& Alton Railway) masqueraded as Buggleskelly, and perhaps –
just perhaps – this sign will make it there for a photograph
or two when members Graham Lambert and John Everest lead a walk
over surviving parts of the trackbed on 17th April this year. (Jeff
Vinter) |
March
2010. Malmesbury to Dauntsey, Wiltshire. Towards the end
of last month, The Wilts & Gloucester Standard reported that
a project to build a cycle track along the 6½ mile former
Malmesbury branch has been revived. Recent housing development at
Cowbridge has prompted renewed interest in a scheme first mooted
in 2003 with a £25,000 contribution by the Minton Group to
Sustrans, as part of the legal agreement attached to planning permission
for the housing. If agreement is reached with the landowners, a
full feasibility study will be carried out, but a huge amount of
investment will be needed because all four river bridges along the
route have been demolished. Sustrans and Malmesbury and the Villages
Community Area Partnership are investigating the track, particularly
the shorter section between Malmesbury and Cowbridge. Malmesbury
Area Pathwatch is also involved. Spokesman Ted Palmer commented:
'It is still only a proposal.
It is not yet a plan. Obviously we cannot progress without negotiations
with landowners on the way through.' (Ralph Rawlinson)
March 2010.
Heathfield, East Sussex. In 2006, following an alleged assault on
a walker early in 2005, the local district and parish councils closed
Heathfield Tunnel and then failed to agree over its reopening, which
depended upon the installation of lockable gates. Subsequently,
the gates were fitted and it would appear that they are now permanently
locked during the winter. Recently, a member of Ralph Rawlinson's
'Bygone Lines' group who lives locally contacted the ranger, who
told him that this year the gates will be open for the summer, which
is deemed to start around the end of March, probably the 25th, and
will stay open until 1st November this year. (Ralph Rawlinson)
March 2010.
Carlisle, Cumbria. Cycle Carlisle (a campaign group for cycling
in Carlisle) has drawn up a petition to ask both Carlisle City and
Cumbria County Council to purchase and restore the Waverley Viaduct
to secure its future as a walking route and open it up to cycling
for the first time. The viaduct last saw trains run over it in early
1969, and has been used as an unofficial crossing of the River Eden
ever since. The structure is grade 2 listed, and is perhaps worthy
of being restored for architectural and heritage value alone, in
addition to which the bridge would also provide the most convenient
crossing of the Eden to link north and west Carlisle. Note that
the online petition associated with this report has now been closed.
(Toby Harling, Cycle Carlisle)
March 2010.
Bath to Midford, Somerset. Further to our report last month (see
below), work has now begun on clearing the northern entrance into
Devonshire tunnel for the Two Tunnels Greenway, which will link
Bath with Midford. Sustrans says the cyclepath should be in use
by 2011. Click here
to read the full report from the BBC News website. (Ralph Rawlinson)
February 2010.
Whitstable, Kent. There is good news for anyone wishing to walk
or cycle the Crab & Winkle line in Kent, based loosely on the
former Canterbury & Whitstable Railway. Kent County Council
has granted full planning permission for Sustrans to complete a
virtually traffic-free route through Whitstable, which will re-use
sections of the C&WR long rendered inaccessible by the removal
of former bridges and the construction of new roads. Sustrans in
turn will lodge a planning application for new bridges spanning
Old Bridge Road, the Network Rail line to Margate, and Teynham Road.
Full details are available via the link here.
Readers should note that relatively little of the Crab & Winkle
currently follows the old railway, although moving more of the route
on to the old trackbed remains a long-term objective. Difficulties
arise because the line closed to passengers in 1931 and to freight
in 1952. Consequently, the trackbed has had over half a century
in which to get re-absorbed back into local farmland. (Ralph Rawlinson
and Jeff Vinter)
February 2010.
Bath to Midford, Somerset. The
Bath Chronicle of Wednesday 17 February 2010 has just reported
that Bath & North East Somerset Council is about to sign the
paperwork for the start of the Two Tunnels Greenway route. This
will re-use the trackbed of the former Somerset & Dorset Railway
between Lower Bristol Road, just west of Bath Green Park station
(now restored), and Midford. At Midford, where the village's substantial
viaduct has been restored already, an end-on connection will be
made with the existing railway path that leads on to just short
of Wellow. Between Wellow and Shoscombe Vale, most of the trackbed
has been ploughed out and a diversion must be followed via minor
lanes, but the tracked can be rejoined at Shocombe Vale and followed
right through to Radstock, once a centre for coal mining in Somerset.
(Ralph Rawlinson and Jeff Vinter)
February 2010.
Cheddar to Wells, Somerset. David Mitchell, the Cycling Officer
for Somerset, has informed the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society
that all the paperwork for creating an extension of the Yatton-Cheddar
trail on to Wells is now prepared and 'ready to go'. On 19th January,
he briefed local councillors prior to a meeting when this new multi-use
path was due to be submitted so that the consultation period could
begin. (Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society)
February 2010.
Shillingstone to Stourpaine, Dorset. The North Dorset Trailway has
now secured funding (including a grant from Railway Ramblers) to
build a further section of the Trailway which will include a new
bridge over the River Stour between Gains Cross and Stourpaine.
The estimated cost of the bridge is £300,000, so this represents
a major investment – but one which makes it much more likely
that, in time, the route may be extended by negotiation into Blandford
Forum along the old railway alignment. (Graham Stanley, North Dorset
Ranger Service)
January 2010. Percy
Main to Byker, Tyneside. Virtually all of the NER branch along the
north bank of the River Tyne is now a railway path. From Percy Main
to Wallsend, the route is fragmentary although what remains has
been conveniently linked. However, from Wallsend (NZ 305663) to
Byker (NZ 267645), the route offers four miles of continuous trackbed
walking or cycling. We realise that this route has probably existed
for several years, but it is the first time that it has come to
our attention – thanks to the Webmaster investigating Ralph
Rawlinson's report below. (Jeff Vinter)
January 2010.
South Gosforth to Wallsend, Tyneside. A two mile section of waggonway
on North Tyneside was re-opened as a cycle trail in October last
year. The waggonway, known variously as the Coxlodge Waggonway,
the Kenton & Coxlodge Waggonway and the Gosforth & Kenton
Waggonway, was opened in 1808 and connected pits in the South Gosforth
area with coal staiths on the River Tyne at Wallsend. The new route
is 3 metres wide and has been fully lit, signposted and landscaped;
it runs from NZ 256682 to NZ 279673. (Ralph Rawlinson and Jeff Vinter)
January 2010. Strathblane
to Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire. In October 2009, Sustrans
and East Dunbartonshire Council finished a £130,000 six year
programme to upgrade the 7½ mile Strathkelvin Railway Path,
formerly part of the NBR's line from Gartness to Lenzie. The opening
of the section from Strathblane to Lennoxtown completed a process
of upgrading the path in its entirety from Strathblane to Kirkintilloch,
connecting Kirkintilloch to the West Highland Way. (Ralph Rawlinson)
January 2010.
Harrogate (Pannal Junction) to Northallerton, North Yorshire. The
former NER line from Bilton to Ripley was earmarked in Sustrans'
Connect2 proposals for a cycle route, and on 14 December 2009 North
Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Council agreed to complete
a Bridleway Creation Order and construct the route. However, there
remains considerable concern about the level of possible compensation
payments to landowners. (Ralph Rawlinson)
January 2010.
Belmont Junction to Aykley Junction, County Durham. Re-opening Belmont
Viaduct to the north of Durham as part of a cycleway was another
of Sustrans' Connect2 schemes, but it has been revealed that the
cost of restoring this spectacular listed structure has rocketed
from £800,000 to £1.785m,
leading Durham Council officials to reconsider whether they should
back the project. (Ralph Rawlinson)
January 2010. Woodhall
to Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Most of the trackbed of this former
branch line has been converted into the Spa Trail. In October 2009,
it was reported that £226,000 is to be spent on re-surfacing
the trail and providing car parks at each end. (Ralph Rawlinson) |
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Left:
On a crisp afternoon in late January, members
of the local community walked from Toller Porcorum (plain
'Toller' in railway parlance) to Powerstock Common and
back along the trackbed of the former Maiden Newton to
Bridport railway in West Dorset. The whole of this former
GWR branch is set to become a railway path, with Sustrans
providing the management and engineering input. 30 January
2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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January
2010. Maiden Newton to Bridport, Dorset. On Saturday 30 January,
a party was held to celebrate the opening of the Toller to Powerstock
Common section of the railway path being developed along this former
GWR branch line. The project is being led by Sustrans Ltd., the Bristol-based
path-building charity. Currently, the path is open for walkers only,
with the above photograph making it obvious why. The trail diverts
to the north of the trackbed just before Toller to avoid a privately
owned section; fortunately, a supportive local farmer and West Dorset
District Council own the adjoining land, so the route here parallels
the old railway. The party was attended by over 100 supporters with
a raffle raising over £4,500 for the project; all the prizes,
including a superb £2,000 road bike, were donated by local businesses.
(Ralph Rawlinson and Jeff Vinter)
January
2010. Cambridge to St. Ives, Cambridgeshire. The guided
busway along this 15½ mile former railway line (known locally
as the misguided busway) is still not operational, despite having
been scheduled to open in April and then November 2009. The parallel
cycle trail is not fully complete either, especially at the Cambridge
end where the surface is loose chippings – 'quite hard work
for a regular commute', in the words of one recent user. The latest
news is that the county council is in dispute with the contractors
and nothing is resolved, so they may end up in court. (Ralph Rawlinson)
January 2010. Pontllanfraith
to Nine Mile Point, Gwent. This line has been converted into a cycle
trail, the Sirhowy Valley Railpath, and forms the eastern part of
the 353 mile Celtic Trail (NCN47). However, in August 2008 it was
blocked by a landslip between Ynysddu and Cwmfelinfach. Now, after
18 months out of commission, Caerphilly Council hope to begin work
on clearing the route in the spring. A £315,000 grant from
Sustrans will help to finance the work. Full details, as published
by the South Wales Argus, can be viewed by clicking the link here.
(Ralph Rawlinson)
January 2010. Tavistock
to Bere Alston, Devon. John Skinner (a local resident whose grandfather
was station master at Bere Alston for 21 years) has contacted us
to advise that, contrary to the suggestion in our September
2009 report, there is definitely going to be a cycle trail and
footpath along this route, to run parallel with the proposed reinstated
railway line which will be single track. In fact, Richard Burningham,
who is the Devon and Cornwall rail partnership officer dealing with
this issue, has said that the trail will happen regardless of whether
the railway is reinstated or not. The net result is that residents
of Tavistock will soon have two cycle trails running south from
the town – this one, and Drake's Trail on the old GWR route
to Yelverton and Plymouth. John adds: 'The line should never have
closed at all, of course, but at least it seems as if things are
moving to an extent to put right the follies of the past.' The railway
could re-open as early as 2013-14, although the big issue will be
the political will to see the project through. (John Skinner).
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Above:
A wintry scene on the recently completed section of the Great
Northern Greenway between Breadsall and the A608 bridge at the top
of Brookside Road, Breadsall – one of very pictures on this
website to show snow. For further details, see the story below. January
2010. (John Swan) |
January
2010. Derby to Ilkeston, Derbyshire. New member John Swan
has just supplied corrections to our November 2009 entry for this
route, which now reads as follows.
Sustrans and Derbyshire County
Council via contractors Pugh-Lewis are converting the 13 miles of
Great Northern trackbed between Breadsall and Ilkeston into a cycle
trail known as The Great Northern Greenway (NCN672). The current
status is as follows:
- The trackbed within the
Derby conurbation has been re-developed and so the Derby-Breadsall
section runs alongside local roads.
- SK 363385–SK 381395,
1½m. The trackbed commences at The Paddock public house
and curves around the south of Breadsall, passing the site of
Breadsall Station at SK 369394 and continuing as far as the A608
bridge (filled in). This section was opened officially on 22 November
2009.
- SK 381395–SK 398400,
1m. An extension from the A608 bridge to Lime Lane is scheduled
to be completed this year, the latter point being where the line
went under the lane via the 276 yard Morley Tunnel (buried). This
section is partly an SSSI – Breadsall Railway Cutting –
and the greenway will be created running parallel to this as far
as Lime Lane and the tunnel.
At the moment, the route is
signed only over the second section above. The Paddock is significant
because this is where Breadsall Viaduct commenced until it was demolished
in the early 1970s. It has been hinted that the impressive Bennerley
Viaduct, to the east of Ilkeston, might one day be included in the
scheme. (Ralph Rawlinson and John Swan) |
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Above:
This now demolished bridge at Braunstone Gate, Leicester,
once carried trains of the Great Central Railway on their way from
London to Nottingham. It fell into disuse when the railway closed
but was then converted into part of the Great Central Way. As such,
it carried walkers and cyclists until the local authority closed it
a few years ago for safety reasons. Now that it has gone, we presume
that users of the GCW are expected to take their luck with the local
traffic. We apologise that the picture is not better; it was scanned
from one of the Webmaster's books, but he has been unable to find
the original colour slide. August 1989. (Jeff Vinter) |
January
2010. Leicester to Whetstone, Leicestershire. Years of campaigning
and protests came to nought on 9th November 2009 when work started
on dismantling the bowstring bridge over New Park Street and the
canalised River Soar at Braunstone Gate in Leicester. Work was delayed
for 12 hours when a 39 year old woman chained herself to the top
girder, but this famous bridge and local landmark has now gone.
(Ralph Rawlinson)
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