Artificial collection comprising typescript letter concerning plans to create 'The Bristol and English Channels Direct Junction Railway'; and undated printed alteration of trains for the Great Western Railway.
Plans for proposed new buildings for Bournville Girls School
This material is held atUniversity of Birmingham, Cadbury Research Library, Special Collections
- Reference
- GB 150 MS1007
- Dates of Creation
- [19th century]
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 2 items
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
In 1845, when the Bristol and Exeter Railway (B&ER) had recently completed its main line, there were proposals for a number of different and competitive railway schemes in west Somerset. A Bristol and English Channels Direct Junction Railway was proposed as a link from Watchet through Stogumber and Bishops Lydeard to Bridport on the south coast, which would be an alternative to ships taking a long and dangerous passage around Land's End. This prompted the promotion of a connecting line from Williton to Minehead and Porlock, a line designed to attract tourists to Exmoor. Shortly afterwards, a Bristol and English Channels Connection Railway was suggested from Stolford to Bridport which would have passed through the Quantock Hills near Crowcombe. Alternatively, the Bridgwater and Minehead Junction Railway would link with the B&ER at Bridgwater and run through Williton to Minehead with a branch to Watchet and a connecting Minehead and Central Devon Junction Railway would provide a line to Exeter. An alternative link to South Devon was proposed by the Exeter, Tiverton and Minehead Direct Railway through Dunster and offered an extension to Ilfracombe.
Source: 'West Somerset Railway' article accessed via Wikipedia on 17 May 2021: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Somerset_Railway
Access Information
Open, access to all registered researchers.
Acquisition Information
Presented pre-2020, but retrospectively accessioned in 2021
Other Finding Aids
Please see full catalogue for more information.
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
Stored in outsize.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Director of Special Collections. Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.