08.03.13
Rail line re-openings
Source: Rev David W Heathcote
The glowing piece of news I read about re-opening certain railways after the Beeching lacklustre and amateur sledgehammer approach was a stimulating breath of fresh air.
It is good that railways are being studied by those who are in the know and not left to those who literally have no idea, as was the case with The 'Lord' Beeching (the accountant).
I cannot for one moment understand for instance why those who should have been professional enough to know better, closed and lifted the Line between Andoversford, Gloucestershire and Ludgershall, Hampshire, known as Tiddly Dyke. This line effectively provided a great commercial link between Manchester and Southampton. The line from Red Post Junction Andover then continued onto the former LSW which was also ripped up, (known as Spratt and Winkle Line) and completed its path.
We had back then a great deal of land around to build on, however instead of allowing the formation and route to stay intact as a footpath for instance, it was allowed to be developed and certain through route infrastructure completely destroyed. Utter short-sightedness, if not even raving madness surely? Those who took part and those who allowed this type of behaviour should be held seriously to account no matter their age.
Re: Reopening Railways – the case for growing the rail network