Radstock recovery

The trackgang has been recovering more materials from the Radstock Regeneration land today, not a bad morning for it. Almost ready for another lorry load to come out now and move it to Midsomer Norton.

(Pics both via Somerset and Dorset Railway)

FACEBOOK - NEW SOMERSET AND DORSET RAILWAY

It seems strange to be lifting track from one line that has an active restoration group to move to another, two miles away - but such is the complexity of the various groups in the area that this has happened before! In the future no doubt lovely fresh new track will reappear here or very close by, as the North Somerset line extends from Frome up to Radstock with an eventual connection to the S&D.

This part of Radstock is, at last, having houses built. Remember that every house will contain future passengers for the lines in Radstock! The development company does support the two future Radstock railways, fully understanding that they will be essential transport links that, soon enough, people will factor into their decisions as to where they move to. A small piece of land has been secured for a future rail link through this site, thanks to the work of Pete Russell at the SDRHT.

Anyone who gets involved in the restoration of the greater S&D could end up just about anywhere if they are part of the hands-on team! 

excellent news - Tavistock returns!!

(All Okehampton 4.12.1984)

West Devon Borough Council, to their credit, last night voted through a plan to build 750 new homes in Tavistock, by a company called Kilbride, who will also rebuild the 6 miles of railway to Bere Alston and thus a direct link to Plymouth for the first time since 1968. [Google This is Plymouth, Western Morning News for further details]. Planning, consultation etc, is going to take another year, but it definitely looks good. I know there was a scheme to build a lot of houses on railway land at Radstock- is that signed sealed and delivered, or would it be possible to get a company like Kilbride to come up with a similar model? Or indeed, in future, maybe parts of the S and D could be rebuilt in this way. Just food for thought really, wonder what your opinions are.

From a message board post.

This is fantastic news and indeed will serve as a model for future large housing developments. A point often made to me is that there is little point building new homes if there are no modern transport links in place. In the 70s and 80s roads would have provided these links, but that's history now, or very soon will be. This should certainly apply to Radstock and surely the Midsomer Norton Trust and North Somerset Railway are making this point to everyone who will listen?

Hopefully restoration of the line to Tavistock will reinvigorate calls for the whole route to Meldon and Okehampton be restored, giving an alternative route to the sea level rise threatened Dawlish route. At the very least it will take some of the capacity restraints off the existing line as traffic continues to climb. Really the whole Dartmoor route needs to be reopened and double tracked as quickly as possible.

If this government had any balls it would make putting in modern transport links compulsory for all major new housing, retail or industrial developments. This could be heavy rail (restored or new build), light rail, ultra light rail or tramway. Soon there will be no other option in any case. Better still if rather than the new line be appropriated by a large concern they are set up as locally owned and run co-operatives, ensuring that the route is geared towards local needs and is maintained and run to the highest standards. We are getting there slowly ...

the bristol option

Above are 3 views of the former Bristol to Frome via Midsomer Norton and Radstock line. This section is currently an excellent footpath and cycleway. The bottom two views show the Five Arches, the S&D route ran over the top of this, and it shouldn't be too many years before trains are running over this section of the S&D again.

The Frome-Bristol line is really in four stages these days. The first section from Frome to Great Elm is still heavily used by freight trains, carrying stone. Beyond Great Elm towards Radstock the line is still in place but disused. This section should be restored by the North Somerset Railway. At Radstock itself the site was planned for redevelopment with a strip reserved for the railway to connect with the S&D coming up from Midsomer Norton. In the current financial climate it's highly unlikely that this redevelopment scheme will proceed as it is mainly for new housing. The section from Radstock to Midsomer Norton and just beyond is a cycleway/footpath. Beyond this the line is totally disused, though the station at Clutton is slowly being restored.


Clutton restoration.


Pensford Viaduct.

The Bristol to Radstock section closed in 1968 after the severe floods which undermined the viaduct at Pensford, although the viaduct still stands. At its northern end the line served Whitchurch, a busy suburb of Bristol these days, with dreadful traffic problems! Pensford itself is totally unsuitable for lorries and the road is often blocked for minutes at a time by large lorries trying to pass each other.


'Modern' transport - Pensford style!

The New S&D will look to this line to provide a link to the network at Bristol, rather than the far more difficult restoration between Bath Green Park and Bristol via Bitton. This would allow through trains from the north to leave the main network at Bristol, run down a restored Bristol to Radstock line, then take the main S&D route south to Bournemouth. This will not prejudice restoration of the iconic route to Bath Green Park as Bath is considered a worthy destination in any case! It may well be possible to link to the network somewhere in the Bath area, giving us a second outlet to the north. These developments assume an almost total end to road traffic, probably 20-25 years into the future.

Bristol-Radstock ex-GW line

radstock - signature required

I've no idea why in 2008 this should be needed anywhere, least of all a large urban area like Radstock/Midsomer Norton, but here we go!

We now have little time, perhaps only two weeks in which to save the land required for this link for use as a proper connection to the national network. If you feel strongly about ‘green’ transport or regeneration of the small rural town of Radstock, please go to www.northsomersetrailway.com/ and sign the petition. Of course, if you have already done so, please accept my thanks and apologies.
I am sure you will understand if I ask you to pass on this message to your friends and colleagues.

Yours sincerely,

George Bailey
North Somerset Railway, North Somerset Heritage Trust

Also posted to transition transport UK and heritage railways

radstock track

Track still exists at Radstock although you have to look hard for it! There is still track under the grass in the 'redevelopment' area near the old wagon works (and of course on the line back to Frome) but that is likely to be lifted soon (partly by the Trust!)

But the above bit will probably last much longer as it's set into the concrete tramway style. You can see this just before you get to the roundabout in front of Radco from the Frome direction - it's on the left hand side.

Depending on developments at Radstock and whether the Trust go for a straight run to Bath or connect (probably temporarily) with the Frome line this section may even see the occasional train again as it links the old S&D and GWR routes.

Although the North Somerset scheme appears moribund at the moment the underlying reasons for the reinstatement of the Frome-Radstock line are, if anything, getting stronger every day. In fact if things pan out as I expect them to one day Radstock may once again see lines to Frome, Bournemouth, Bath and Bristol.