West Somerset Railway General Discussion

West Somerset Railway -Then and Now #135

Washford 1935 / 2017

A view of the village taken from the field above the station. Much detail to absorb in this. Note the ivy-covered state of the Railway Hotel and the new houses being built. Washford's up starting signal in prominent.

Copyright Francis Frith / Robin White

1935


2017

 

Highway Authorities have quite strong powers to take action against anything that might obstruct the highway. They can and do serve notices to landowners to clear overhanging vegetation and have powers to do work in default and charge the owner

 

If that's the case then it's a pity they don't seem to use them. Down our way it seems they couldn't give a Continental.

 

Sadly my experience when I was a Parish councillor in Somerset was that they were very reluctant to take action.

 

I wonder if I can gently point this thread in the direction of the WSR?

I don't recall the source, but somewhere I heard that local authorities responsible for road signage are actively encouraged to continue to use the traditional black & white cast iron sign posts where it is appropriate.

It would be an interesting curatorial exercise to find the ones local to the WSR, particularly where they point to a RAILWAY STATION, named or not.
A photo, the location & perhaps the distance to the station would all be worthwhile to record.

Modern tourist-style replicas are OK, I suppose, but not anything containing the word 'train'. RLY STN is OK too!

Perhaps just something to look for whilst pootling around the lanes.

 

Hard to understand why they showed any reluctance ???

 

Money. Simples!

 

On my too infrequest visits to the WSR I have noticed that Somerset does have a lot of traditional road signs dotted around the place, all very nice to see. Here are a couple I photographed.

 

And a reluctance to get involved in litigation - costing yet more money.

Unfortunately Highway Authorities have been both de-staffed & de-skilled in recent years as budgets have been repeatedly cut, services outsourced and much valuable local knowledge simply lost.

 

I believe that one reason for retaining classic black and white signs is that they are wood or cast iron so have no scrap value unlike modern aluminium ones

 

Dwr - Water

 

If the vegetation was originating on private property weren't the owners liable ?

 

Thank you Tracker , I hadn't worked it out .

 

Probably best to add that 'Perygl' means 'Danger', though even the most monoglot of Anglo-Saxons can probably work that one out for themselves (after the event) in any case!

 

On occasions yes. However, they were reluctant even when the growth was from their land.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #136

Washford 1972 / 2017

Less than two years after closure but neglect and nature are beginning to take their toll.

Copyright Nick Jones / Robin White

1972


2017

 

What does NAWR mean, as in ARAF NAWR?

 

Nawr - now

 

Looking at the rest of the vegetation in the '72 shot, how the hell did that ivy mange to stay so green?

 

I wonder if I can gently point this thread in the direction of the WSR?

The relay at Watchet includes a check rail - has there been a check rail before ?

Are the 2018 timetables any different from the 2017 ones ?