In a few years time rails should reach this point as we extend northwards over two new bridges to the classic S&D location of Radstock. The track would probably follow the line of the pavement - there is alternative space to walk through the Memorial gardens on the left, which occupy the site of the S&D station.
The white car is exactly where the old (and future) S&D level crossing was/will be. A short section of the route here has been tarmaced over, but being double track width it should be no problem comfortably accomodating both a single track and a cycleway and footpath.
This is the route of the S&D over the Five Arches, hardly looking like it's been almost 40 years since the track was lifted!
A classic and typical S&D lineside view which will soon be visible from the trains again!
It is possible that Radstock will once again have two stations, but this time both on the S&D! It may well be that we build a basic station this side of the Bath road at first to avoid a level crossing, close to the Mining Museum. Later as we rebuild back to Bath a larger station could be accomodated beyond the Mining Museum, on a large area of grass just to the north of the original station. Being flat and surrounded by car parks and unrestricted roads (whilst cars survive!) Radstock could offer better opportunities to join the trains than Midsomer Norton or Chilcompton, although we hope that all stations on the new S&D will be both destinations and originating points for journeys.
It was interesting to walk along the old formation high above the road and imagine it in fifty years time, with the railway very busy with passengers and freight (and all behind wood-burning steam) whilst the road is quiet and overgrown with the occasional bike, horse or pedestrian enjoying the shade and peace of the crumbling asphalt!
1 comment:
It's pretty much protected by the Memorial Garden, which only opened last year. There are plans to build on the site of the old Great Western station at the moment. Plans to link Radstock with Frome have always met resistance as the council and development agency were convinced (and did a survey that backed them up) that Radstock Nortom people really only wanted rail routes to Bath and Bristol.
Perhaps in the back of their minds the councillors realise that Radstock will HAVE to be reconnected by rail eventually, so they've subconciously made sure the Bath and Bristol routes have been protected!
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