This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8100961.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rail lines that connected communities Rail lines that connected communities
(about 1 hour later)
By Lila Allen BBC News Proposed rail expansion could see disused tracks back in operation By Lila Allen BBC News Dr Richard Beeching's report led to the closure of a third of railway networks
The Beeching cuts of the 1960s saw a third of railway networks closed. Today, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has proposed some of these lines should be reopened.The Beeching cuts of the 1960s saw a third of railway networks closed. Today, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has proposed some of these lines should be reopened.
But what of the communities living on them? Then, as now, it is the people in the area who will feel the direct impact.But what of the communities living on them? Then, as now, it is the people in the area who will feel the direct impact.
Brixham in Devon is one of the lines suggested for reopening.Brixham in Devon is one of the lines suggested for reopening.
In its heyday, the line ran from Paignton to Brixham via Churston. Today, the line from Churston is the site of new homes and roads.In its heyday, the line ran from Paignton to Brixham via Churston. Today, the line from Churston is the site of new homes and roads.
But in the 1960s, the impact of the Beeching cuts was felt dearly by a community reliant on the fishing industry.But in the 1960s, the impact of the Beeching cuts was felt dearly by a community reliant on the fishing industry.
"Utter dismay""Utter dismay"
Torbay Councillor Mike Morey was still at school when the line was closed. His grandfather was a porter at Brixham station.Torbay Councillor Mike Morey was still at school when the line was closed. His grandfather was a porter at Brixham station.
My sister had her hat thrown out of the window by one of the boys one year, I think it was Christmas time Brian Cheesman Rail links to the past Operators call for new rail linesMy sister had her hat thrown out of the window by one of the boys one year, I think it was Christmas time Brian Cheesman Rail links to the past Operators call for new rail lines
Cllr Morey remembers that the town felt "utter dismay" at the closure.Cllr Morey remembers that the town felt "utter dismay" at the closure.
"It was a popular line," he said, known as the "six-penny train" taking the town's people to the main shopping centre in Torquay."It was a popular line," he said, known as the "six-penny train" taking the town's people to the main shopping centre in Torquay.
But passengers were not the only ones who relied on the service.But passengers were not the only ones who relied on the service.
The town depended economically on the trains to import coal and export fish, the main industry of the area.The town depended economically on the trains to import coal and export fish, the main industry of the area.
The trains carried fish directly to Billingsgate market in London, boosting the local economy - which until the railway line opened only served the local area of Torquay.The trains carried fish directly to Billingsgate market in London, boosting the local economy - which until the railway line opened only served the local area of Torquay.
HostilityHostility
In the Surrey town of Cranleigh, passengers were the main victims of the service closure.In the Surrey town of Cranleigh, passengers were the main victims of the service closure.
By the time it closed in 1965, the line was used mainly by people travelling in and out of the area.By the time it closed in 1965, the line was used mainly by people travelling in and out of the area.
The decision to close the service was met with hostility by the local community.The decision to close the service was met with hostility by the local community.
Brixham in Devon relied on the export of fish to Torquay and London Proposed rail expansion could see disused tracks back in operation
As the main commuter line, it took passengers to London and on holidays to the coast.As the main commuter line, it took passengers to London and on holidays to the coast.
Michael Miller, chairman of the Cranleigh history society, says the locals were upset to see it close.Michael Miller, chairman of the Cranleigh history society, says the locals were upset to see it close.
"Their link to London had gone. It was a friendly, local service and in those days not everyone had a car," he said."Their link to London had gone. It was a friendly, local service and in those days not everyone had a car," he said.
Since then, Cranleigh's population has increased with people moving from nearby Guildford.Since then, Cranleigh's population has increased with people moving from nearby Guildford.
Mr Miller welcomes the proposal to reopen the railway line, but says some people have extended their gardens over where the trains used to run and so won't be happy to see it back.Mr Miller welcomes the proposal to reopen the railway line, but says some people have extended their gardens over where the trains used to run and so won't be happy to see it back.
Fond memoriesFond memories
But Brian Cheesman is keen to see it return. Having served for 33 years on the local council he is now vice chairman and has fond memories the railway line which he used to get to school.But Brian Cheesman is keen to see it return. Having served for 33 years on the local council he is now vice chairman and has fond memories the railway line which he used to get to school.
The journey took just 12 minutes as opposed to 25 minutes on the bus.The journey took just 12 minutes as opposed to 25 minutes on the bus.
"We had some genuine fun," he remembers. "My sister had her hat thrown out of the window by one of the boys one year, I think it was Christmas time.""We had some genuine fun," he remembers. "My sister had her hat thrown out of the window by one of the boys one year, I think it was Christmas time."
Proposals for rail network expansion could help tackle congestion Brixham in Devon relied on the export of fish to Torquay and London
When British troops came through Cranleigh during World War II, an enthusiastic signalman changed the points too soon resulting in half the train shunting forward and the other back, straddling the station at Cranleigh.When British troops came through Cranleigh during World War II, an enthusiastic signalman changed the points too soon resulting in half the train shunting forward and the other back, straddling the station at Cranleigh.
"That was a hoot," Mr Cheesman said."That was a hoot," Mr Cheesman said.
But his are mixed memories. Two people were killed on the train after it was struck by German bombs. Mr Cheesman believes they were sisters.But his are mixed memories. Two people were killed on the train after it was struck by German bombs. Mr Cheesman believes they were sisters.
The closure of the line in the late 1960s hit the area's economy hard.The closure of the line in the late 1960s hit the area's economy hard.
Two coal merchants soon went out of business after the line was shut. The business was no longer financially viable after the merchants had to travel to Horsham or Guildford for coal.Two coal merchants soon went out of business after the line was shut. The business was no longer financially viable after the merchants had to travel to Horsham or Guildford for coal.
Welcome developmentWelcome development
The Atoc proposals could see the line to Wisbech in Cambridgeshire back in service.The Atoc proposals could see the line to Wisbech in Cambridgeshire back in service.
Cllr Alan Melton remembers the railway line well.Cllr Alan Melton remembers the railway line well.
"In the good old days, I like a lot of people travelled by train from March to the Isle of Ely college in Wisbech. It closed during my time," he said."In the good old days, I like a lot of people travelled by train from March to the Isle of Ely college in Wisbech. It closed during my time," he said.
He remembers how unhappy people were, drawing up petitions before having to use buses and later cars to make the journey.He remembers how unhappy people were, drawing up petitions before having to use buses and later cars to make the journey.
Ever since the closure, there has been a campaign to reopen the line.Ever since the closure, there has been a campaign to reopen the line.
Cllr Melton called today's news a "welcome development" which could help ease congestion in a town that has boomed since the 1960s when Dr Richard Beecham proposed his cuts.Cllr Melton called today's news a "welcome development" which could help ease congestion in a town that has boomed since the 1960s when Dr Richard Beecham proposed his cuts.