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Beeching - a very interesting article indeed

Very well worth a read!https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/06/without-the-beeching-report-there-might-not-have-been-brexit?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR1hSjMj_kjhZKvzyojYy4G_zRW0krjZMiMp1ivzrLcAzkcgv4XhulY6gxM

Ivonne Holliday ● 2590d4 Comments

Thanks, Ivonne. Yes, very interesting.

Michael Ixer ● 2590d

Ivonne, not often we agree but this is an interesting article.I have explored a few of the old railway lines by foot and cycle that Beeching closed in the 60's on the south coast. Many of the old tracks have been turned into walkways and cycle paths and some of the old stations have been turned into cafe's along the way.There are plans afoot for a new West London Orbital rail service from Hounslow/Kew to Hendon/West Hampstead upgrading an old freight line so if this comes off it will link up London from West to North which would be unique for London (not taking into account the tube)They are planning on building several new stations along the route which will be great for communities currently lacking rail links.I agree, many of the rail routes in the UK don't always link up very well, especially after Beeching cut many routes in the 60's. As the article points out, maybe Brexit would have been a different story if rail links were better.For anyone interested, the 100 page Feasibly study of the London Orbital link below:http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/s58355/7b.%20Draft%20feasbility%20study.pdf

Paul Game ● 2590d

Hello Paul,I agree with you, we do not see eye-to-eye most of the time.This article showed a link between the Beeching railway cuts, their lack of transport since the 60s.  It just so happens, that these areas voted predominantly Leave. It is also true that these areas were the hardest hit with the austerity measures since, it appears to be the feeling, time immemorial.Whatever is happening in London is irrelevant to the rest of the country.  London has always had relatively excellent transport links.Villages and towns "up (oop?) north" have a bus, with luck once a day or usually once a week.  I am afraid we do disagree on the issue of the Beeching cuts too!Wales has magnificent bicycle "roads" built on disused train tracks.  Fantastic to enjoy at leisure - a bit difficult if you are trying to get somewhere that can offer some work to you?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2590d

@Ivonne,Many rural lines in the South were hammered by Beeching  as well as the North.It wasn't so much a North/South thing, it was the least profitable routes that went, irrespective of the location.For instance, Southampton terminus station was closed in the 60's down by the waterside.According to Wiki in the previous decades it was a busy terminus station.Some interesting old photos in this wiki link:http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/southampton_terminus/

Paul Game ● 2590d