9 April 2010
The Beeching Way
Paul Tetlaw reports from his trip to East Grinstead in Kent, the home of the infamous Dr. Beeching:
"It's true: here is the by-pass road in East Grinstead – the "Beeching Way" – built on the former railway line which was closed by the man himself."The town originally had four routes from the east, west, north and south. After his axe fell it had one remaining rail route - that to London on which he commuted!"The town has a high street filled with ancient buildings which were they in continental Europe would be at the heart of a pedestrianised and vibrant centre – but here it is clogged with traffic."So much for the bypass - it certainly allows the car dependent residents to drive more quickly to the 3 supermarkets that ring the town centre. Such a pity they now have so few shops in the historic heart of the town; if they still did they might be more encouraged to walk or cycle to them."MADNESS."
