Welcome to the 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway'

The original Somerset and Dorset Railway closed very controversially in 1966. It is time that decision, made in a very different world, was reversed. We now have many councillors, MPs, businesses and individuals living along the line supporting us. Even the Ministry of Transport supports our general aim. The New S&D was formed in 2009 with the aim of rebuilding as much of the route as possible, at the very least the main line from Bath (Britain's only World Heritage City) to Bournemouth (our premier seaside resort); as well as the branches to Wells, Glastonbury and Wimborne. We will achieve this through a mix of lobbying, trackbed purchase and restoration of sections of the route as they become economically viable. With Climate Change, road congestion, capacity constraints on the railways and now Peak Oil firmly on the agenda we are pushing against an open door. We already own Midford just south of Bath, and are restoring Spetisbury under license from DCC, but this is just the start. There are other established groups restoring stations and line at Midsomer Norton and Shillingstone, and the fabulous narrow gauge line near Templevcombe, the Gartell Railway.

There are now FIVE sites being actively restored on the S&D and this blog will follow what goes on at all of them!
Midford - Midsomer Norton - Gartell - Shillingstone - Spetisbury


Our Aim:

Our aim is to use a mix of lobbying, strategic track-bed purchase, fundraising and encouragement and support of groups already preserving sections of the route, as well as working with local and national government, local people, countryside groups and railway enthusiasts (of all types!) To restore sections of the route as they become viable.
Whilst the New S&D will primarily be a modern passenger and freight railway offering state of the art trains and services, we will also restore the infrastructure to the highest standards and encourage steam working and steam specials over all sections of the route, as well as work very closely with existing heritage lines established on the route.

This blog contains my personal views. Anything said here does not necessarily represent the aims or views of any of the groups currently restoring, preserving or operating trains over the Somerset and Dorset Railway!

Thursday, October 06, 2011

help for midsomer norton


This has just come via John Baxter at Midsomer Norton - please sign up!

Not long ago the Trust applied to Community Force, a NatWest iniative for funding towards the lineside footpath we need to construct alongside the railway to prevent unauthorised access to the trackbed. This initiative could give up to £6000 to three local projects BUT it needs people to vote for their favourite project and this is where we would like to gain your support for the sake of a few minutes on your laptop or PC. With your help we could be a potential winner but there are only 18 days left for votes to be cast. Winning this award would essentially mean we could devote more funds to the purchase of more track so please don't think your vote will be wasted - we reckon we will need 300 or more votes to be in with a chance.
If you can support us this is what you need to do:
1. Click on this website: http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/2903

(Corrected address - please try again if it didn't work first time. Thanks to David Bailey for sorting this out).
2. Click on Register
3. Enter your first name, surname, email address and a password of your choosing - tick the box that says you accept the terms and conditions.
4. You will be sent an email and you need to click on the confirmation reference.
2. Click against "by postcode or town" and type in Midsomer Norton underneath then press the magnifying glass.
3. A map of the Midsomer Norton area will appear - click on the orange tear and the details of the project will show in the window.
4. Click on "read more" and up will come the project page.
5. Tick where it states "I accept the NatWest CommunityForce Voting Terms.
6. Click on "Vote For Us".
7. In order for your vote to be accepted, you will be then asked to register your details.

3 comments:

Brian said...

When I clicked on the link (for voting) it said "address is not valid" even when tried it several times. Just so you know. Internet is in other respects working well for me today so don't think is a problem with my connection.

Anonymous said...

It didn't work for me either.
Do you have to be a Nat west member?or live in Bath or Bristol Region?

Steve Sainsbury said...

The original link was incomplete, it should work now. As far as I know voting is open to everyone - I registered a vote.