Latest news with #Beeching
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The two UK towns getting new train stations for the first time in over 60 years for £45million
YOU'LL soon be able to visit two idyllic Westcountry towns by rail thanks to a £45million plan to bring back their train stations. Both Cullompton in Devon and Wellington in Somerset lost their stations in the 1960s, but they are set to reopen as early as next year. Advertisement 5 Cullompton is a town in Devon that is set to be connected to Exeter via train once again Credit: Alamy 5 Wellington in Somerset is another town that will be connected by rail Credit: Alamy The two countryside towns in south west England did once have train stations that were built in the 1880s. But as a result of the Beeching cuts, which saw huge changes to train services as a result of the nationalisation of the railway, they were both closed in 1964. However, there are now fresh plans to revive both stations with services expected to start running as early as 2026. Both will reopen at an estimated cost of £45million. Advertisement Read More on UK Breaks The stations will connect to Exeter, a major transport hub with direct services to London Paddington, Plymouth, Bristol and the Cornish mainline too. Details are yet to be confirmed, but it's likely that when the railway stations reopen, they will join the Great Western Main Line that runs from London Paddington to Cullompton sits on the doorstep of the For any families heading south, the town is right next to Advertisement Most read in News Travel You'll also find local farm shops and many pubs like The Weary Traveller, Merry Harriers, The Ashill Inn and Half Moon Inn. Over the border in Somerset is the town of Wellington. Visit Diggerland UK to enjoy an exciting staycation in the beautiful Devonshire countryside 5 Cullompton is very close to Devon's Diggerland Credit: Alamy 5 Both are en route to the coast where you'll find towns like Sidmouth Credit: Alamy Advertisement Wellington has become known as a "food town" thanks to its reputation for quality food and drink. Top restaurants and pubs on Tripadvisor include The Martlet Inn which specialises in game and fish dishes. Another popular food spot is Valla Verde Italian Restaurant where you can sample delightful pasta dishes and antipasti. For keen explorers, it's a route to the Quantock Hills and Advertisement From there, it's a short trip up to the larger town of Taunton known for cider production and having its own Cullompton and Wellington are just a 24 minute drive away from one another. But using public transport, the neighbouring towns can only reach each other by bus. Here's another Advertisement And the 5 Two countryside towns will get new railway stations next year
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The two UK towns getting new train stations for the first time in over 60 years for £45million
One of the town's is near a very popular adventure theme park ALL SYSTEMS GO The two UK towns getting new train stations for the first time in over 60 years for £45million YOU'LL soon be able to visit two idyllic Westcountry towns by rail thanks to a £45million plan to bring back their train stations. Both Cullompton in Devon and Wellington in Somerset lost their stations in the 1960s, but they are set to reopen as early as next year. 5 Cullompton is a town in Devon that is set to be connected to Exeter via train once again Credit: Alamy 5 Wellington in Somerset is another town that will be connected by rail Credit: Alamy The two countryside towns in south west England did once have train stations that were built in the 1880s. But as a result of the Beeching cuts, which saw huge changes to train services as a result of the nationalisation of the railway, they were both closed in 1964. However, there are now fresh plans to revive both stations with services expected to start running as early as 2026. Both will reopen at an estimated cost of £45million. The stations will connect to Exeter, a major transport hub with direct services to London Paddington, Plymouth, Bristol and the Cornish mainline too. Details are yet to be confirmed, but it's likely that when the railway stations reopen, they will join the Great Western Main Line that runs from London Paddington to Penzance. Cullompton sits on the doorstep of the Blackdown Hills on the Somerset-Devon border. For any families heading south, the town is right next to Diggerland Devon where children can operate diggers and hunt for buried treasure. You'll also find local farm shops and many pubs like The Weary Traveller, Merry Harriers, The Ashill Inn and Half Moon Inn. Over the border in Somerset is the town of Wellington. Visit Diggerland UK to enjoy an exciting staycation in the beautiful Devonshire countryside 5 Cullompton is very close to Devon's Diggerland Credit: Alamy 5 Both are en route to the coast where you'll find towns like Sidmouth Credit: Alamy Wellington has become known as a "food town" thanks to its reputation for quality food and drink. Top restaurants and pubs on Tripadvisor include The Martlet Inn which specialises in game and fish dishes. Another popular food spot is Valla Verde Italian Restaurant where you can sample delightful pasta dishes and antipasti. For keen explorers, it's a route to the Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park. From there, it's a short trip up to the larger town of Taunton known for cider production and having its own castle. Cullompton and Wellington are just a 24 minute drive away from one another. But using public transport, the neighbouring towns can only reach each other by bus. Here's another direct train line that's set to connect the UK to a European city for the first time. And the 7 stunning European cities that Brits could take direct trains to as London station plans huge expansion.
ITV News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Government gives final green light to re-opening of Portishead rail line
Portishead rail line will re-open with three new stations, the government has confirmed, ending months of speculation about whether previous promises to revive the service had been derailed. The Department for Transport has announced a number of rail projects, including two new stations for Wellington and Cullompton, after campaigning by Liberal Democrat MPs and local groups. The Transport Secretary and Swindon South MP, Heidi Alexander, has said the two West Country schemes will ease congestion, cut journey times and improve access to jobs and opportunities. In February, the former West of England Mayor and now Independent MP, Dan Norris, said construction on the Portishead to Bristol line would begin this summer after an 'agreement' had been reached with government. Mr Norris, who was suspended by Labour after being arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences, said the West of England Combined Authority, with North Somerset Council, would be putting £30m forward and had the go-ahead from government that it would fund the rest. Then in June, the new WECA Mayor, Helen Godwin, told ITV's The West Country Debate that she was "hopeful" the government cash would be granted. But only now has that been guaranteed, after Labour paused all big transport projects while it re-prioritised public finances and carried out a lengthy spending review. Like hundreds of others across the country, the Portishead line was closed in 1964 during the Beeching cuts and its future has been the subject of fierce debate and uncertainty ever since. Similarly, Liberal Democrat MPs Gideon Amos and Richard Foord have been spearheading a campaign in parliament to have two new train stations built in Wellington and Cullompton, after funding for the project was previously promised by the former Conservative government. After the government's Spending Review, they said they were confident they had won the necessary cash to get 'spades in the ground', but now they officially have it. "The Government is investing a further £27 million to reinstate passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol City Centre," said the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. "The new hourly services will connect an additional 50,000 people to the rail network and support a significant new housing development," she added. "Two new stations, Wellington and Cullompton, have been given the green light in the south west of England, unlocking significant new housing developments and providing more chances for people to access Exeter to visit loved ones and benefit from increased leisure, education and employment opportunities." Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour's MP for North Somerset, said the campaign to secure the funding for the Portishead line had been a "labour of love" since being elected to parliament last year. "For the first time, the project is actually fully-funded. For 25 years, its been that proverbial taxi coming around the corner that never quite gets there," he told ITV. "I'm hoping I'll be able to buy a ticket in Portishead [in 2027], get off in Pill, get a quick selfie and then go back." Mr Al-Hassan added: "It's not just about having this quicker commute, access to more jobs, more economic activity, it's also about a government and MP keeping their promises. People were fed up of a politics that said and didn't deliver. "This government with the work of a Labour MP (...) and with the help of a Labour mayor, is actually going to have something physical to point at and say 'we did that'."
Chicago Tribune
09-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Park Ridge farmers market opens for its last run on Prairie Avenue. New location expected next year.
The Park Ridge farmers market season has kicked off, this year with dozens of weekly vendors, others who will make guest appearances and some who will be part-time sellers, officials say, with the marketing set to run until fall. 'It's amazing, we had a great kickoff,' Steph Goodrich, the market master and committee chair said about the May 24 opening weekend. 'It was probably our biggest market.' Organizers say the longtime market is doing better than ever. While crowds usually top out around 1,500, Goodrich estimates it's been closer to 2,000 people in May. 'That was probably our best-attended market,' Goodrich said of the season's kickoff Memorial Day weekend. This is the last year the market will be held at its current location, 15 Prairie Ave., near the former AT&T building. The open-air market started in the parking lot there in 1991 and since then, it has taken over the whole block of Prairie Avenue from Main Street to Garden Street. This year, the new owners of the AT&T building let the city and farmers market organizers know they have future plans for the lot. Organizers expect to be busy looking for a new space that's both big and comfortable enough to host thousands of people and dozens of vendors. So far, nothing has been decided, and so far, Goodrich said there is no real sense of urgency about securing a new farmers market home. 'We're being thoughtful in our discussions,' she said. In the meantime, the focus is on this year's offerings. Visitors can walk down aisles of vendors who are selling everything from coffee and pastries to tamales, potted plants and, in one tent, handmade wooden cutting boards and pizza peels. There are also offerings of sugar peas, radishes, berries and spring greens. 'We have a good variety and a selection of different farmers and vendors that people enjoy,' said Goodrich. For many sellers, this market is an annual tradition. Josh Beeching, a manager for Barry's Berries out of Michigan, said he's been selling at the market for six years. 'There's great people here,' Beeching said, working alongside his daughter, 11, and her cousin, 13. He said the Saturday market is a great way to spend time with his family. On a recent Saturday the family was selling apples, strawberries and blueberries. But Beeching said as the summer wears on, he'll have more produce, including peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums. He looks forward to the crowds. 'There's a lot of friendly people here,' he said. Market organizers say it's the community that draws the vendors and keeps them selling in Park Ridge. 'The community is what keeps them coming back,' Goodrich said. It's still a bit early for a lot of popular vegetables and fruits, but Karen Grunschel, a member of the city's Farmers Market Committee, said visitors can expect all of that in the coming months. 'Corn starts in late July and goes through September,' she said, adding there is talk of having corn roasts later in the year. Wherever the market eventually moves, Shannon Halt says she will be there. Halt, who technically lives in Chicago, said she never misses a Park Ridge market. 'We come every Saturday,' Halt said. She explained it's one of the bigger markets and she appreciates the weekend tradition. 'It's such a great way to start the day.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
The seven cross-country rail routes that would revitalise Britain
Last month saw welcomed reports that Arriva was bidding to run direct rail services from Newcastle to Brighton, due to start at the end of 2026. To be run by open-access operator, Grand Central, it would avoid London but pass through Gatwick and Birmingham en route. Sadder news for cross-country rail lovers was the axing of the Aberdeen-Penzance train as of May 16, after more than 100 years of service. At 774 miles, it is the UK's longest service, linking Scotland to Cornwall, passing through a range of landscapes and stopping 35 times at towns and cities. Britain's rail network likes to give with one hand and take away with the other. There has been recent talk of reviving direct services from Bolton and Rochdale to London, providing the two major Lancashire towns with connections they once enjoyed as a right. Rail services open up business as well as leisure opportunities; vineyards, hotels and local councillors in Kent are still protesting the closure of the Eurostar service sparked by the pandemic. So what would be the ideal cross-country lines to reboot in order to promote domestic holidays and regional economies? Britain's railways really began with a cross-country line, between Liverpool and Manchester, in 1830. Who decided, for example, the network should be radial, with London as its hub? And why are so many of us deprived of trains to the many wonderful corners of the country? Here are seven for starters. These physical lines still exist (though Dr Beeching axed many that made cross-country travel faster and more fluid in the 1960s), but to complete the journeys now you have to change trains, waste time, worry about your next reservation and getting a seat. Modern trains are supposed to be faster, but most cross-country trips are sluggish when you consider the crow-flies distances. We can surely do better than this, so please let us know which lines and services you miss most in the comments section below. The Midland hotel that stands prominently over the UK's largest expanse of tidal mudflats and sand is a striking reminder of a time when Morecambe was served by Midland Railways and known as Bradford-on-sea for the number of visitors it drew from the West Riding of Yorkshire. The route used, known as the 'Little' North Western Railway, carried mill and factory workers from their smoke-smothered homes via the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland to the seaside. As well as regular services, there were 'Wakes Weeks' specials when industries closed down and entire towns and cities decamped to the coast. At the time, the trains ran all over the country, with exotic-sounding services such as Oldham to Swansea and Bury to Heysham for Douglas on the Isle of Man. In Bradford's City of Culture year, and with the North due to get its own Eden Project in Morecambe isn't it time to reopen this grand old sunshine line, especially given the perennial question of how to revive the British seaside? When direct service ended: 1966 Number of changes required in 2025: 1-2 Shortest duration in 2025: 2h 11m Distance: 49 miles Cheapest current cost: £12.70 single I only know that this service existed as recently as the mid-1980s thanks to the avid timetable collectors who post fascinating facts on online rail forums. It was one of many Motorail services that operated between 1955-1995, allowing holidaymakers to deposit their Austin Allegros on to the back of trains and ride in comfort to their destination. Stirling was a major hub, and was the gateway to the Highlands. Newton Abbot, often bypassed by tourists, is a useful point of departure for Dartmoor, Torbay and both coasts of Devon and Cornwall. Drives such as the NC500 (North Coast 500), Heart 200 and North East 250 in Scotland and South West 660 in England are great, but a relaunched Motorail – with competitive pricing – would allow us to travel greener, safer and without the tedious ordeal of the M4, M5 and M6. When direct service ended: mid-1980s Number of changes required in 2025: 1-4 Shortest duration in 2025: 8h 32m Distance: 387 miles Cheapest current cost: £161.70 Privatisation killed off services linking Newcastle, York, Scarborough and Hull to North Wales – with most trains stopping at Manchester, furthering the uncontrolled metropolitanisation of Britain. The loss is felt at several levels, exacerbating the 'East-West divide', shrinking the once booming tourism of Llandudno and the North Wales coast and, more subtly, making Britons – islanders all, with a rich maritime history – forget our once vital ports. Boat trains used to connect all corners of the nation to ferry services to Ireland, Isle of Man and the continent. You could travel from Scotland and the north to Harwich Parkeston Quay. Today, the grandly monikered Harwich International is connected to, wait for it, nearby Manningtree. It's time to stop the rebranding and reconnect our ports. When direct service ended: 1980s Number of changes required in 2025: 2 Shortest duration in 2025: 5h 8m Distance: 180 miles Cheapest current cost: £125 Britain's most scenic railway line, the Settle-Carlisle, is currently served by trains from Leeds, plus a Saturday-only, twice in each direction service from Manchester Piccadilly to Ribblehead, site of the celebrated viaduct. Opened in 1876 by Midland Railways – keen to compete with London & North Western, which dominated operations on what we now call the West Coast Main Line – the Settle-Carlisle follows the natural contours of the Pennines, in order to enable high-speed stream trains to carry passengers to and from Scotland. London's Science Museum holds a glorious 1903 timetable for the direct service on 'the most interesting route, the only through route embracing the lovely valleys of the Ribble and the Eden, the home and haunts of Sir Walter Scott, and the land of Robbie Burns,' from London St Pancras to Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness. Why deprive southerners of the north's sublime line? When direct service ended: 1982 (London St Pancras to Carlisle) Number of changes required in 2025: 1 Shortest duration in 2025: 5h 25m Distance: 262 miles Cheapest current cost: £87.20 One of the most punished towns in the UK, in transport terms, is Stranraer in south-west Scotland. Only a few decades ago, it was connected to London Euston, Carlisle and Newcastle, and for a spell there was an Edinburgh-Stranraer boat train. Why did all the trains go to this lonely peninsular tip? Mainly for the ultra-short ferry crossing to Larne in Northern Ireland. But the ferry no longer goes from Stranraer but from Cairnryan (a bus ride away), with Stena ships to Belfast (two hours 15 mins) and P&O ferry crossings to Larne (two hours). As for the station, it has trains to Ayr and Glasgow, and not many of them – every four hours on weekdays and only as far as Ayr on Sundays. Rail fans agree the Stranraer line ranks just below the likes of the West Highland Line and Dingwall to Kyle for scenic views. Reopening a route via Hadrian's Wall to Newcastle would tick many boxes for history and heritage-lovers, and provide a useful east-west connecting service. When direct service ended: 1993 Number of changes required in 2025: 3 Shortest duration in 2025: 5h 48m Distance: 135 miles Cheapest current cost: £72.70 The axing of the Aberdeen-Penzance service is precisely the opposite direction of the one CrossCountry should be following. It was only offered once a day (departing Aberdeen 8.20am, arriving Penzance 9.31pm – and only Plymouth-Aberdeen in reverse) but was a symbolic connection to the southwestern tip of the nation for Scotland and all of England. There used to be Waterloo to Penzance trains too, offering an iron-road version of the A303, ideal for south-west Londoners and stockbroker belt second-homers wanting to enjoy a few bottles of Mumm en-route to Marazion. The UK is missing a trick in not offering a pan-national service. There's no reason why someone can't offer a Penzance to Thurso/Wick service, using diesel- (or steam-) powered rolling stock. It would be a magnet for European rail fans and, at around 970 miles, would outclass many single-country lines for length. The UK's Trans-Siberian, in short, with Unesco sites at either end and the full gamut of towns, cities, landscapes, accents, cuisines and culture en route. Londoners can do a version of this trip on their handy Caledonian and Night Riviera sleeper trains. Why should everyone else have to drive or change 10 times to cross the nation? When direct service ended: N/A Number of changes required in 2025: 2-5 Shortest duration in 2025: 26h 21m Distance: 583 miles Cheapest current cost: £320.80 This is not strictly a cross-country line, but it's a parable of how we can break the hegemony of city hubs. As early as 1860, the GWR – yes, you read that correctly – was able to operate trains from London Paddington to Birkenhead Woodside. By 1924, there were six down trains a day, some taking less than five hours. The early route was via Reading and Oxford, but later took a shorter diagonal through Bicester and High Wycombe. Restaurant cars and sleepers were offered on some timings. Running till 1967, the Birkenhead Flyer and The Zulu stopped at Leamington Spa, Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Chester. As well as providing a connection to the port at Birkenhead – giving that town an identity beyond being 'somewhere you can see from Liverpool' – it opened up the Wirral, with New Brighton and Port Sunlight, as well as Shropshire and the Welsh Marches. Today, the emphasis is on speed, not stopping and merely connecting A to B ie Liverpool Lime Street with London Euston, without any accounting for pleasure or leisure. These lines exist – why not allow open-access firms to target the holiday traveller on new city-swerving routes to places of extraordinary heritage and beauty? When direct service ended: 1967 Number of changes required in 2025: 2 Shortest duration in 2025: 3h 12m Distance: 178 miles Current cost: £82.70 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
