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George Bailey & Chris Street at the Radstock site

The railway runs from Radstock to Frome

Return to Radstock planned by North Somerset Railway

by Drew Savage

The West Somerset Railway is well established between Minehead and Bishop's Lydeard, the East Somerset Railway are going strong at Cranmore - but what price a North Somerset Railway between Frome and Radstock?

The last freight traffic on the line from Radstock to Frome ran in 1988, when Marcroft’s wagon works in Radstock closed down, but the rails on the route are still intact.

"A railway has got to be a must, and it's so important to preserve this."
Chris Street, secretary of the North Somerset Railway Company

So the North Somerset Railway Company would like to get trains running again, with the aim of generating jobs for local people and improving the quality of life in the area.

They're planning a three-pronged approach: commuter diesel trains from Radstock to Frome, a heritage steam railway to run on the route at weekends, and encouraging rail freight to use the line.

Regeneration

However, there's a potential sticking point. Plans are in the pipeline to build houses on the former Marcroft's site at the Radstock end of the line, just to the east of the town centre.

Frome station would be the link with the main line

The land was bought by the Norton Radstock Regeneration Company in 2001, and the Railway Company are worried that the plans may see the railway line's potential terminus vanish under a new housing estate.

"This railway's quite important for Radstock and the area," said Chris Street, who's involved with the North Somerset Heritage Trust as well as being secretary of the railway company.

"It would put back much that has been lost, giving a possibility of an alternative transport link to the outside, even London. A railway has got to be a must, and it's so important to preserve this."

Interview: Chris Street and George Bailey of the North Somerset Railway Company >

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Safeguarding

But Derek Hooper, Manager of the Norton Radstock Regeneration Company was keen to stress that although their proposals for the land don't specifically include a scheme to re-open the railway line, the company's plans don't make it impossible for it to happen.

Site of the Marcroft wagon works, Radstock

This was once the Marcroft wagon works

"That's the most important point of the lot," he said. "The railway route is safeguarded in the layout which BANES (the planning authority) have now supported. The land is there to be used for that purpose if a group like North Somerset Railway come forward with proposals."

"We would be willing to negotiate, particularly if they have some viable proposals to look forward. But I think the important thing is up until now the proposals have not had any cost put to them and there's never been any suggestion that they are viable."

Interview: Derek Hooper, Manager of the Norton Radstock Regeneration Company >

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But the North Somerset Railway believe it is quite feasible. In the first instance, they plan to develop a new station complex at Radstock and run commuter services between there and a new station near Frome town centre at the Cheese & Grain.

Expansion

Then the next step would be to restore Frome Station (including Hannaford’s splendid Brunel-style overall roof) in a form that would allow trains from Radstock to run directly into it, and expand the service from there.

The NSR also hope to refurbish Frome station

"There's already been a report produced - not by anyone connected with us, the Parkman report," said George Bailey, director of the Railway Company.

"That described how trains could run from Radstock, through to Frome, to Westbury, and on to places like Trowbridge, possibly to Swindon. And the local councils there were very pleased with the prospect."

Co-operation

According to Bailey, co-operation with the Norton Radstock Regeneration Company will be the key to getting the project back on the rails:

Site where the NSR hope to build Radstock station

A new station is planned near Radstock town centre

"Everybody seems to be talking different ways. We've got the Greens, the Heritage people, the builders want to get in and start building houses, Norton Regeneration Group want to see a return on their outlay. We ourselves see that this has got to happen with a group agreement.

"If you take the railway away what happens to the rest of the railway? It's just redundant. You can't do anything. You need to start at one town to join the other town. So it's got to start in Radstock - it can't start on the outside of it."

last updated: 05/05/2008 at 18:19
created: 04/01/2008

Have Your Say

What do you think? Is it a good idea to re-open the railway link between Frome and Radstock? Are the North Somerset Railway's plans feasible?

j
i think the railway should have never been ripped out but preserved. if houses were bulit the traffic would be worse for the locals and the area so more vote for the railways return.

j baker
this will add a new form of transport than cars and buses. the town will become more accessable and provide a faster form of transport.

Dean Ford
just like the Portishead line reopening Radstock needs this connection to the rest of the country this needs to happen!!

j .parry
it will be good that a nother railway coming back it will be good that there was fall size loco motive then smelly old desal all the time for onces

Stuart Adam
the railway should be a must for the whole community. A transport linked area becomes more viable to a greater market of people to live. The railway link will bring this back to the area. The heritage of the railways in radstock and the local area was of great inportance. A line to frome is essential to all concerned! Mr Stuart Adam 26 from Haydon

david barber from portsmouth hampshire
a wonderful idea,to bring back the railway and ease the traffic burden on our already overcrowded, roads, exhaust fumes, polution. railways are GREEN and better for the enviroment. in my view the s & d should NEVER have been closed all those years ago. long may the north somerset railway reign and be successful for many years to come

Peter Waugh
This has to be a brilliant idea. More public transport facilities are a MUST. The roads are clogged with cars (and I have two of them - mea culpa). Bring back the trains!

Allen Harris
Full support for a new rail link to ease pressure on roads. All around the UK passenger rail usage has been growing so now is the right time to plan effectively for the future. This will make the Radstock area much more accessible.

Prof Helen more
Yes i do and the town will need it as it would take a lot of cars off the road

jj
Radstock is such a dump it needs another route out of the place, and with the housing market dampened why bother putting more up?Get some trains going, be bold, why should everything be about money?

Mark
I believe that we've lost to many chances wasted, look at the somerset and dorset railway how much do they have to play with at midsummer-norton? Nothing!! this is a great chance 2 run steam trains through the sommerset countryside!! Don't let another railway die!!

Mark Parker
Over-crowding on roads, environmental considerations and a realisation that too many rail closures in the 1960's and 70's were overly-influenced by short-termism are among those drivers neccessitating a fresh return to an efficient, economic and attractive public transport network. Rather than looking to calibrate the costing of ideas put forward, local authorities should look to support initiatives from serious-minded bodies constructively with view to making them happen. Sadly, government in Britain continues with wild abandon its relentless and almost obsessive support for road-building and residential with considerably less questioning. Why do rail schemes continue to get the rough end of the stick?The North Somerset Railway's Plans are actually minute in the great scheme of things but could yield many benefits for the local communities and beyond. Generating tourism, linking in with cycle route schemes, increasing use by commuters of new rail routes reducing road congestion,placing more commercial tonnage on the railways and not sharing the roads with cars.Good luck North Somerset.

Steve Sainsbury
With many now believing we've passed Peak Oil and the need for all of us to use cars less and less until it's no longer possible, this line has to reopen and reopen soon, otherwise Radstock will vanish from the map. And it also needs to connect with the S&D currently being restored at Midsomer Norton. We are entering a new Railway Age - let's make Radstock a pioneer!!

Daniel Newbould
A brilliant idea! I realise how difficult these plans are but would like to see it come to fruition.

Mr R. Parry
halleiujah at last your reopening one of railway lines what was closed.hurry up and don't let them people build the houses, bus stops don't let them! build it quickly.

Vic Matthews
I have visited the area a lot and could never understand why the railway line was never utilised for a heritage railway.There are many companies with steam engines that would lease for demonstations. Give it a go. This would boost tourism in the are being so close to Bath. In fact look at the success of the WSR.

Nigel
Responding to the two Richards concerns about the cycle path. It's worth remembering that the railway was originally constructed as a double track Brunel broad gauge route, so there should be plenty of room for both railway and cycle path. Such an arrangement works well with the Avon Valley Railway and the Bristol-Bath cycle path. We are coming to the end of the Oil Age - so rather than "railways have had their day" it's "railways are a part of our transport future"

Anthony Betts
I think this is an excellent idea as public transport in Radstock does need a boost and this will ease traffic in the area. I will use the line.

paul astell
yes it should reopen another rail station to add to my collection

b j tearle
Hindsight is a wondeful thing. If only those who brought about the demise of the railways in the 50's & 60's had had some foresight we would still have a railway system to be proud of. Any extension to the railway system we have to day must be a good thing!

Brian Brooks
Common sense at last, get on with it.

MICHAEL TILLEY
it,s a good thing to re-open the railways where ever we live take the cars and lorrys off are roads.

Mark Ireland
The shear fact that so many old routes are now lost forever should see this one restored, particularly as the trackbed is largely intact.Sadly, modern obstacles in the railway industry conspire to hinder such progress. Steam railways cannot easily conform to the modern railway system requirements. Any such scheme will require many hours of hard negotiation.Mark Ireland

Mrs Smith
Yes, its a good idea to re-open the line between Radstock and Frome, for passenger, freight and the big interest in steam engines. Midsomer Norton station is good but frustrating that one cannot ride on a train. Freight carrying would free up the roads more. Its important to preserve one's heritage. The sooner this is begun the better for all concerned.

Paul Chant.
It is paramont for us all, that we keep a form of transport on the permanent way link between Frome & Radstock.Failure to do this will result in a, fume filled environment, gridlocked and a loss of valuable revenue for the whole area, as regards to jobs, tourisim and freight etc..Join the North Somerset Railway Company today!

Richard Ludlow
Excellent vision, but in the real world the SUSTRANS bike path has done more to unite Radstock & Frome and yes it also brings tourists to both towns. Destroy one for the other - i`m not sure the people of Radstock & Frome would agree to replace a quiet green cycle track for a noisy and polluting railway track. The railway had its day and now its time for alternative use.

Adam Hiscock
I am totally in support of this venture and feel it extremely important to provide a rail link to a place like Radstock which was unfortunate to lose its previous rail link. I agree that it will be good for the local economy and also bring tourists to the area during the Summer which is only good news for North Somerset.

Peter Knott.
Yes it is an excxellent idea and should go ahead.In the future people will wonder why there is any doubt at all. Peter Knott.

Gavin Moore
Excellent idea long overdue.

d.hopes
railway would be nice but this is omly a wish,cost would be too much and things take to long as people are still in the dark ages around here.

Richard Sprake
I use the cycle path quite often and although i would like to see the trains running again what will happen to the path?

Rob Marsh
Of course it's a great idea. Without a doubt, it would bring business and tourism to the towns. A heritage railway is a must and it would be a big mistake to lose it.

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