Regaining access through Radstock could offer the tantalising prospect of a link to the extant North Somerset Railway
far as the former site of Chilcompton station, apart from the recently under-fifilled Baker Robinson’s Bridge. Land ownership is again fragmented, although the curve between the tunnels and Redan Bridge is in a single holding. There are some signifificant obstructions through the rest of Chilcompton, but it’s a clearer run through Moorewood to Binegar. Binegar Station again presents some built obstructions, but a largely clear section ensues to Masbury and on to Shepton. Mendip District Council’s Local Plan has helpfully safeguarded the trackbed for ‘sustainable transport’ uses throughout its jurisdiction.
Northbound
Down to Radstock, the railway corridor is in council hands as a linear park with a cycleway, which could be realigned alongside a single-track railway. Two major bridges (Silver Street and Welton Road) are missing. Replacing the former would require substantial alterations to the raised highway and cost upwards of half a million pounds. A civil engineer trust member has surveyed the situation and proposed some options. The Welton Road case is simpler, with plenty of headroom between the remaining embankments, but probably with a similar cost to Silver Street. A smaller bridge at Pit Road, near the former Norton Hill Colliery, is also missing. From Welton Road to the centre of Radstock, the trackbed is clear. Regaining access through Radstock would be complicated, but it could offer the tantalising prospect of a link to the extant North Somerset Railway line to Frome and thence the national network. This would necessitate reinstating the notorious level crossing and running alongside Waterloo Road, plus a tight reverse curve through a coal waste tip and Ludlows Colliery. The trust has sought safeguarding of this narrow corridor by the authorities, as part of regeneration plans, but has to date received no commitment.
Realism
The trust is under no illusions about the physical and fifinancial hurdles to major extensions in either direction. Serious consideration would probably need at least a 30-year development plan to reconnect Radstock with Shepton Mallet, the fifinancial capital to match, and the backing of the appropriate authorities. The current generation of activists will mostly be long gone by then, but supporters need to hold on to the dream.